Abstract
An experiment is described which was carried out during the highly intensive, pre-Christmas shopping days in December 1969, when parts of the central business area of the city of Gothenburg, Sweden, were closed to all unauthorized vehicles. The experience gained from this was used in a permanent traffic restraint scheme which was put into effect on August 18, 1970. During the first six months several surveys were conducted to establish the impact of the scheme on vehicular flow, parking, pedestrian flow, public transport, accidents, air pollution, noise, and retail business, the results of which are presented.