Slow Zones – MIT Senseable City Lab

The project exploits the sharp spatial and temporal variation in a traffic speed policy implemented over five years in Paris to identify the effects of slowing cars and making streets friendlier to pedestrians on human activity. We found robust evidence that Paris’ Slow Zones initiative impacted human activity, fostering more activity from individuals attracted from a more diverse range of Paris to the treated street segments in the Slow Zones. Our paper provides evidence showing that the type of policy implemented in Paris effectively encourages activity in newly regulated areas, offering a precedent for other cities in the future as they consider implementing similar policies aimed at reducing the speed of vehicles. The material on this website can be used freely in any publication provided that: For more information, senseable-contacts@mit.edu

The project exploits the sharp spatial and temporal variation in a traffic speed policy implemented over five years in Paris to identify the effects of slowing cars and making streets friendlier to pedestrians on human activity. We found robust evidence that Paris’ Slow Zones initiative impacted human activity, fostering more activity from individuals attracted from a more diverse range of Paris to the treated street segments in the Slow Zones. Our paper provides evidence showing that the type of policy implemented in Paris effectively encourages activity in newly regulated areas, offering a p