Paris Mayor, Anne Hidalgo, announced a reduction in the speed limit on the Parisian ring road from 70 km/h to 50 km/h effective October 1. This measure is part of the city’s 2024-2030 climate plan, aimed at mitigating air and noise pollution caused by the ring road’s heavy traffic.
The decision has faced criticism from the opposition and government officials due to the lack of impact studies. However, previous recommendations dating back to 2019 suggested a speed limit reduction to mitigate pollution levels on the ring road, which sees over a million vehicles daily.
The adverse effects of noise and air pollution prompted the need for this measure, as co-exposure near the boulevard has been found to be alarmingly high. The social cost of noise and air pollution in the Paris region is estimated at €43 billion, emphasizing the urgency for action to improve public health.