From 15 January 2026, the historic center of Rome will change pace: the entire ZTL will be officially transformed into Zone 30, with the maximum speed limit of 30 km/h extended to every street in the perimeter. A measure announced by the Mobility Councilor Eugenio Patanè, which marks a new chapter in the management of urban traffic in the Capital. This is not a simple tweak to the road system, but a structural choice that redesigns the relationship between cars, pedestrians and public space.
Single limit even on large arteries
The main innovation concerns the extension of the limit also to streets historically considered traffic, such as Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Via Nazionale, Via del Teatro di Marcello and the Tunnel. Wide streets, conceived in an era in which the center was designed to be car-friendly, which are now reinterpreted as places to cross with caution. The new signs will be positioned at each gate of the ZTL, making the limit clear and uniform for all motorists.
More safety for pedestrians and vulnerable users
The central objective of the measure is road safety. Reducing speed means drastically lowering the risk and severity of accidents, especially for pedestrians and cyclists, who represent the most vulnerable part of urban mobility. The data indicates that speeding remains one of the main causes of accidents in the city, often linked to inattention or driving under the influence of alcohol and substances. In this context, Zone 30 becomes a concrete prevention tool.
Raised crossings and electronic controls
The new limit will be accompanied by physical interventions on the roads. 175 raised pedestrian crossings are planned, designed to naturally slow down traffic and make crossing points safer. Added to this is the strengthening of controls: by 2026, 40 new Photored cameras will be installed at the largest intersections and 60 new fixed and mobile speed cameras, which will be added to those already supplied to the Local Police.
Less smog and less noise in the heart of the city
In addition to safety, Zone 30 aims to improve the quality of life. Lower speeds mean a reduction in PM10 and PM2.5 emissions, as well as a drop in noise pollution estimated at around two decibels. A transformation that also looks to the future, fitting into a broader plan that includes another 1,000 30 km/h roads in various neighborhoods of the city.
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