Description
Creating urban non-motorized zones designates pedestrian-only or limited-motor-access areas in downtowns, civic plazas, or event corridors, promoting walking and cycling. This strategy can be used as a temporary measure or a long term solution.
Implementation Details
- Establish pedestrian-priority zones in downtown cores to promote walkable tourism, outdoor dining, and public events.
- Implement temporary weekend street closures using removable bollards, signage, and wayfinding in target areas with high foot traffic.
- Pilot pop-up activations with vendors, music, and art to test car-free configurations before permanent conversion. Include traffic circulation plans and business access accommodations.
- Coordinate with local planning departments to adopt flexible zoning overlays that support mixed-use and low-speed streetscape design.
Mitigation Potential
While zone restrictions for private vehicles can be implemented immediately, active transportation infrastructure within those zones will require continued investment and installations. VMT impacts will be incremental as pedestrian priority zones develop. There are not clear methods for quantifying the reduction due to this strategy, however linked strategies to improve the pedestrian network may be considered as a proxy quantification method.
Linked Strategies
Equity Considerations
Establishing pedestrian-only zones improves safety and air quality in dense neighborhoods, which are often frontline communities. Frontline communities are those that experience the “first and worst” impacts of climate change and are most often communities of color and / or low-income. These zones can create inclusive public spaces and reduce exposure to traffic-related pollution in areas with higher rates of asthma and limited access to green space. Equitable design requires accessible routes, multilingual signage, and community engagement in planning.
Funding Sources
While inexpensive to close roadways to vehicles and create car-free zones, if there is a need to replace the lost on-street parking, the costs could be much higher. Additionally, if the roadways are permanently converted to plaza space the capital costs for paving, landscaping and other amenities significantly increase the cost of the project. Funding sources include the Regional Active Transportation Program (Metropolitan Transportation Commission ), and the Statewide Active Transportation Program (California Transportation Commission).
Implemented in TAM Area
Current TDM Implementation
Regular, ongoing street closures during summer months is one way that car-free streets are being brought to downtown areas in Marin. Temporary car-free and limited zones are also used on a case-by-case basis to reduce vehicle travel to events. Street closures for car-free streets and events are typically implemented at the jurisdiction level, like in downtown Mill Valley and along the Sausalito waterfront.
TDM Benefit Locations
Commercial and pedestrian zones with high foot traffic are the best candidates for car free streets, like in Downtown San Rafael and Downtown or Old Town Novato. Areas that currently utilize temporary closures could consider more extensive, long-term, or permanent restriction of cars.