Authorities in Paris have created dedicated car sharing lanes for rush hour on the infamous Ring Road as part of their efforts to reduce congestion and pollution on one of Europe's busiest highways.
Paris City Hall began its trial scheme on Monday, Perifelice From 7am to 10:30am and 4pm to 8pm, passenger cars carrying at least two people. The lanes also offer public transport, taxis, emergency services and vehicles used by disabled people.
After the initial “learning stage,” artificial intelligence is used to identify vehicles that should not be in the lane and send a message telling them to move. Drivers who fail to comply will be fined 135 euros after May 1st.
Officials said the measure built on the restrictions raised last October was to reduce the maximum speed on the loop from 70kph to 50kph, a move reportedly reducing traffic congestion, pollution and accidents.
“Perifelice is Europe's busiest urban highway and a true health scandal. Dan Rath, vice-mayor of Paris, responsible for the ecological transition, along with half a million people living here and there are exposed to contamination levels, with 30% of children suffering from asthma.
However, the pilot has sparked outrage among critics who said it would exacerbate the road conditions used by an estimated 1.5 million vehicles every day.
Pierre Shessare, the organization's 40 million cars (40 million drivers), said it was a “completely stupid decision.” “For those using Periferique, it's a waste of more time, creating more jam and another measure for drivers,” Chasseray said.
The organisation that launched a petition for the measure argued that the scheme imposed a “new form of discrimination” on drivers.
“As opposed to improving traffic flow, this measure risks creating more congestion and new forms of discrimination,” said its president, Philip Nozierre. “People who can't share cars will find themselves forced to use more crowded lanes that are undermined by their time and comfort.”
“The creation of lanes reserved for car pullers will only lead to traffic congestion in the other lanes, and will undoubtedly exacerbate the already chaotic situation on Ring Road,” added Nozierre.
The Les Republic (LR) Party in the center right and Valerie Pecles, president of the Ile des France region, requested Anne Hidalgo, the socialist mayor of Paris, to halt the experiment three months later if it brings a massive jam. City Hall says dedicated lanes will be marked with signs that they can turn off if traffic jams get worse.
Periferique's restrictions are part of a countermeasure programme that City Hall has introduced since 2014 to tackle pollution and improve air quality. These include promoting public transport, establishing a network of bicycle lanes, walking capital, and limiting vehicles with high emissions from city access.
