The implementation of traffic slowing measures will act to change the demand conditions for road use through regulation and legislation.

The reduced traffic speed will initially increase the level of congestion. This in turn may encourage car drivers to seek alternative means of transport to increase their utility through reducing their travel time. In the long run this should encourage individuals to switch to a non-car mode of transport, so reducing car use and congestion.

(Disclaimer Statement: Note the following is a very broad statement that has been used for educational purposes to illustrate theory. The actual relationship may not always hold due to the complexities of the issues. Therefore, it may not always be taken literally in practice.)

The problems of this policy stem from the magnitude of the change and the time it may take for the policy to have effect. The policy will cause more problems in the short run and may therefore be ineffective in the long run. The policy may be ineffective because of the problems of finding a readily available alternative to private car use.

The default level of average traffic speeds throughout London is set at no change in the model. However, it can range between cut by 50% to increase by 50%.

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