Rewritten Title: Tehran’s Traffic Zone: Evolving from Clean Air Mandate to a Call for Smart, Equitable Reform
Tehran’s Traffic Management System Under Review for Modernization
The current traffic scheme in Tehran, originally implemented to regulate vehicle entry into the city center and combat air pollution, is the subject of ongoing debate and calls for a fundamental overhaul. While the system has undergone structural changes in recent years, many citizens and experts argue it has not fully achieved its core environmental objectives. Critics point to a system that now appears more focused on revenue generation and lacks fairness in its application across different vehicle types, such as private cars, taxis, and service vehicles.
A Call for Long-Term, Data-Driven Strategy
Seyed Mojtaba Shafei, Secretary of the Supreme Traffic Council, emphasized the need for stability and foresight in urban transport policy. “Decisions in the field of urban transportation should not be changed frequently in the short term,” he stated. “They are aligned with people’s lifestyles and affect their daily lives. Therefore, we must think long-term when making decisions and look at the latest achievements and technologies in a multi-faceted way.”
Shafei highlighted that the previous traffic scheme model was stable for years and had become integrated into daily life. The 2019 revision introduced a scaled payment system based on entry time and vehicle inspection status. However, he acknowledged the current model’s weaknesses, describing it as a rigid “zero-and-one” system where a fixed fee is charged upon entry into a defined zone, regardless of the actual pollution or traffic impact.
Proposing a Fairer, Smarter Model
The official revealed that a more progressive, intelligent model has been proposed, inspired by pilot programs in countries like Singapore. This new approach would calculate charges based on the actual burden a vehicle imposes, considering parameters such as:
- The real-time air pollution level in the specific area of travel.
- The prevailing traffic congestion on the route.
- The duration of the vehicle’s presence within the restricted zone.
“This model is fairer,” Shafei noted, “because it means citizens pay costs proportionate to the negative effects they create—both pollution and traffic congestion—rather than paying a fixed fee just for entering the zone.” He expressed confidence that such changes are implementable with upgrades to the city’s camera network.
Addressing Equity and the Path Forward
Ja’far Tashakori Hashemi, Chairman of the Tehran City Council’s Civil Engineering and Transportation Commission, addressed concerns about social equity. “The goal of many restrictions is not discrimination,” he asserted. “The law is not there so the wealthy can pay the scheme’s fee and break the rules. Laws are a tool to create deterrence.”
Hashemi stressed that the current scheme is not anti-social justice, highlighting that specific groups in need—such as individuals with special illnesses, veterans, persons with disabilities, and doctors—have received exemptions and support. “The fairest thing has happened in this traffic scheme,” he commented, comparing it to purely economic models in other countries.
Nevertheless, he concurred that the 40-year-old structure is not ideal and requires a fundamental revision. The municipality is studying aspects like zone boundaries, implementation mechanisms, and traffic management to develop a new plan. The envisioned system would calculate costs based on the distance a vehicle travels within the zone, with the ultimate goals of reducing traffic, cutting air pollution, and revitalizing life in the city center.