ZEA – Define

Design of zero emission areas (ZEAs) depends on city context, stakeholder requirements, and ambition level.

Defining a winning concept

Laying the foundation

Defining a winning concept

Quantifying the model

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Different formats for ZEAs exist, ranging from street-focused ZEAs to more holistic concepts covering entire districts. The selection of an adequate format is city and context specific, depends on ambition level and willingness of stakeholders to make bold moves, and can evolve over time from a small-scale pilot to a holistic, district-wide program.

Choose a format

70%

of cities exceed recommended levels of fine particulate air pollution matter released into the atmosphere annually

Over

Single or several inner-city streets. Either complete access restriction or allowance for certain vehicles with toll.

Managed street

Single tolled commuter lane or EV/high-occupancy lanes.

Managed corridor plus mobility enhancement

Multiple coordinated managed lanes along the same congestion corridor.

Managed network

Multiple coordinated managed lanes as an integrated program with stricter policies in the center.

Managed cordon

Comprehensive ZEA concept for large areas which includes not only traffic but also urban redesign.

Managed district

For city examples, see Urbanaccessregulation.eu

Increasing levels of complexity

Private households

Public sector

Private sector

Private households

Residents Private car-reliant residents Different generations Underserved neighborhoods

Private households

Commuters¹ Ride-sharing users Private car users Transit users Active mobility users

Private sector

Commercial traffic Groceries Logistics Parcel Service and craft

Investors Private investment funds

Local businesses Restaurants Local retailers

Tech players Mobility-as-a-Service Software-as-a-Service Mobility platforms

Automotive OEMS and shared/micromobility players Infrastructure players Logistics players Automotive OEMs Shared/micromobility

Private sector

Public sector

Special purpose traffic Ambulance Firefighting Plumbing Police

Public transit¹ Bus Taxi Train Microtransit Subway Rickshaws Motorcycle taxi

Regulators City regulators Local/national governments

Public institutions Associations Academia NGOs Interest groups

¹ Including informal mobility networks

Public sector

Involve a wide variety of stakeholders

The design of a ZEA, and even the implementation of single measures, is a complex undertaking. A wide variety of stakeholders have to be taken into consideration in order to ensure equity and fairness for all users of public and private mobility in urban centers. The stakeholders outlined here should be involved in the planning process early on. Sincere attention to and consideration of their needs is the basis for ongoing acceptance and long-term success of measures that aim to influence urban mobility behaviour.

¹ Including informal mobility networks

Residents & commuters

Private sector

Public sector

Regulatory measures

Phase out of all non-EVs Phase out of all non-EV passenger cars Speed reduction in inner-city areas Order to install charging stations in all (new) buildings

Prominent visuals to encourage ZEA (voluntary) More public charging stations

Infrastructure measures

Highway/inner-city tolls for all non-EVs Subsidies for EV charging, parking, lanes, and loading areas Subsidies for car/ride sharing, micromobility Subsidies for public transport Reward system to use mobility alternatives

Incentivisation measures

Replacement of parking spaces with public areas/bike lanes Dedicated lanes for high-occupancy mobility Extension of bike and micromobility lanes Temporary/permanent closure and repurposing of roads and curb space (eg, pedestrian zone, shopping area, park) Create limited traffic zones (eg, only for public transport, shared mobility)

Urban redesign measures

Residents & commuters

Regulatory measures

Phase out of all non-EVs Phase out of all non-EV commercial vehicles Speed reduction in inner-city areas Order to install charging stations in all (new) buildings

Prominent visuals to encourage ZEA (voluntary) More public charging stations Subsidized parcel lockers for delivery Emissions-optimized route planning as Software-as-a-Service

Infrastructure measures

Highway/inner-city tolls for all non-EVs Subsidies for EV charging, parking, lanes, and loading areas Subsidies for and financing for EV fleets

Incentivisation measures

Replacement of parking spaces with public areas/bike lanes Dedicated EV loading zones Goods tram for delivery Temporary/permanent closure and repurposing of roads and curb space (eg, pedestrian zone, shopping area, park) Create limited traffic zones (eg, only for public transport, shared mobility)

Urban redesign measures

Private sector

Regulatory measures

Phase out of all non-EVs Speed reduction in inner-city areas Order to install charging stations in all (new) buildings

High-frequency public EV shuttles

Infrastructure measures

City investment to replace its non-EV fleets Subsidies for and financing for EV fleets

Incentivisation measures

Temporary/permanent closure and repurposing of roads and curb space (eg, pedestrian zone, shopping area, park) Create limited traffic zones (eg, only for public transport, shared mobility)

Urban redesign measures

Public sector

Prioritize measures to reduce emissions

We have developed a number of measures that can help to drive the shift towards sustainable urban mobility with low to no (local) CO₂ and other emissions. The measures can be grouped along two different axes: the sector they aim to address and type of measures they are. In terms of sectors, measures can influence residents and commuters, the private sector, the public sector, or a combination of all sectors. These measures can be classified as regulatory, incentivization, infrastructure changes, or urban redesign approaches. Click on the respective sector on the right to see available measures. See the expanded grid in the full report.

Stay ahead of challenges

Addressing legal, financial, and technological challenges can only be done through a multistakeholder systems approach.

Legal and political challenges

Financial challenges

Other challenges

Technological challenges

Other challenges

Scale-up of innovative formats For example, urban consolidation centers, multimodal hubs.

Time and funds Required for implementation and sustaining the change.

Community buy-in For example, local and regional public acceptance and support.

Technological challenges

Sensors and street cameras at scale For example, standard solutions to ensure critical mass for occupancy control, congestion charging, and real-time curb management.

Open-source data and data platforms For example, detailed data on traffic flow, volume for effective traffic modeling and simulation.

Convenient apps and platforms for users Currently there are many different multimodal and micromobility apps and offerings, each with their own ticketing system.

Technological advancement Some technological solutions might not yet be available or financially viable.

Financial challenges

Comprehensive business case Quantifying costs and benefits for a wide range of stakeholders, including residents, local retail, etc.

Cross-subsidizing success cases For example, revenues from road charging re-invested in EV infrastructure.

Transition financing For example, large-scale investments in EV infrastructure to accelerate transition to emission-free transport.

City budget for comprehensive ZEA implementation For example, trade-off between significant investments in street/ZEA redesign in the short-term versus incremental improvements in infrastructure over the years.

Legal and political challenges

Political acceptance Acceptance can vary significantly depending on the cost and benefits to different stakeholders.

Political willingness The willingness for bold decision making is often limited regarding regulatory interventions and street redesign due to fears of public reactions and future electability.

Bureaucratic approach and slow decision making Often ambitious projects get stuck in “business as usual” political processes/mindsets, particularly when adapting a legal framework is required.

Regulatory concerns Regulations addressing data standards and privacy concerns for sensors and cameras, enabling occupancy control and street charging.

Laying the foundation

Defining a winning concept

Quantifying the model

EXPLORE MORE