Cutting traffic to fight emissions

TOURISTS CONSIDER DUBLIN TO BE A LIVELY, LEGENDARY cultural hub. But for its residents and business owners, getting anywhere can be a challenge. "Traffic in Dublin is absolutely appalling," says Emma Gray, the co-founder of Gaillot et Gray, a café in one of the city's busiest areas.

- MICHELINE MAYNARD

Multiple studies rate Dublin's traffic as the second worst among major global cities, behind only London, whose population is nearly 20 times as great. Ireland's Department of Transport estimates that the economic cost of traffic jams in Dublin is likely to soar from €336 million ($372 million) in 2022 to €1.5 billion ($1.7 billion) by 2040.

In February, the city announced a plan that aims for a 40% reduction in overall traffic by 2028. In August, Dublin launched two primary traffic lanes to the city center, set up dedicated bus lanes, and established pedestrian-only streets and gathering spots in an effort to encourage more people to get around the city without using cars.

Dublin joined a flock of global cities that have banned or limited vehicle traffic on a regular basis. Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona, Brussels, Helsinki, Copenhagen, and Birmingham, England, are among a growing list of places that are addressing congestion and encouraging motorists to walk, bike, and use transit.

A key goal is to reduce carbon dioxide and other emissions that pose a danger to people and the environment. Hundreds of cities and countries have joined a U.N.-led drive to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.