Single subsection: Restricted traffic zones

I.-The study justifying the creation of a restricted traffic zone as mentioned in III of article L. 2213-4-1 includes a non-technical summary, a description of the initial state of air quality in the area concerned and an assessment :

1° Of the population affected by exceedances or the risk of exceedances of air quality standards;

2° Of emissions of atmospheric pollutants due to road transport in the zone concerned;

3° Of the proportion of vehicles affected by the restrictions and, where applicable, the exemptions provided for;

4° Of the reductions in emissions of atmospheric pollutants expected as a result of the creation of the restricted traffic zone.

The opinions provided for in III of article L. 2213-4-1 are deemed to be favourable if they are not issued within two months.

Traffic restrictions may be differentiated according to the nature and use of the vehicles.

II.-Access to the restricted traffic zone may not be prohibited:

1° To general interest vehicles within the meaning of Article R. 311-1 of the Highway Code;

2° To Ministry of Defence vehicles;

3° To vehicles displaying a "mobility inclusion" card bearing the words "parking for the disabled" issued on the basis of Article L. 241-3 du code de l'action sociale et des familles ou une carte de stationnement pour personnes handicapées délivrée sur le fondement de l'article L. 241-3-2 du même code dans sa rédaction antérieure au 1er janvier 2017;

4° Aux véhicules de transport en commun de personnes à faibles émissions au sens de l'article L. 224-8-2 du code de l'environnement.

5° Aux véhicules de transport en commun, au sens de l'article R. 311-1 of the Highway Code, providing a regular public transport service that are in one of the classes defined by the order establishing the nomenclature of vehicles classified according to their level of emission of atmospheric pollutants, taken pursuant to II of Article R. 318-2 of the same code, when this class becomes subject to a partial or total ban on traffic in the area in question, for a period of between three and five years following the date on which this ban comes into force. The length of time during which exceptions are made to the traffic ban may vary according to the category of vehicle, with the least polluting vehicles being able to benefit from longer exceptions. It is determined by a joint order of the ministers responsible for the environment and transport.

The reporting obligations intended to verify, as part of the monitoring of compliance with the traffic restrictions in the zone, the right of access to this zone of the vehicles mentioned in 1° to 5° of this II are set by an order issued by the same ministers, and, as far as they are concerned, the ministers responsible for defence and social affairs.

III.-.Individual exemptions to the restriction measures provided for in V of article L. 2213-4-1 may be granted, upon a reasoned request from the interested parties, by the mayor or by the president of the public establishment for inter-communal cooperation with its own tax authority when the latter has traffic police powers. This authority issues a receipt specifying the conditions under which the exemption is valid, the perimeter to which it applies and its period of validity, which may not exceed three years.

The order creating the restricted traffic zone specifies:

1° The procedure and reasons for issuing and withdrawing exemptions;

2° The conditions under which the receipt for the exemption is made visible or held at the disposal of enforcement officers.