The Ticket to Smoother Traffic?

The new citations will join the list that a group of 10 ticket writers logs on the weekends in the Adams Morgan and U Street areas, she said.

But success was measured in yards, not city blocks Friday night because many motorists ignored the signs or were unaware of the new restrictions. Traffic eased only slightly, and congestion remained constant on neighborhood blocks near 18th Street. By 2 a.m., traffic was at a standstill, and all 18 of the restricted parking spaces were filled.

For now, violators will receive $20 tickets, a price designed to put some bite behind the enforcement without hitting drivers too hard and to ease into the process -- lessons learned from criticism about aggressive enforcement around RFK Stadium this spring, Tangherlini said.

Officials urge patrons to take public transportation and taxicabs to the area.

"They're doing the right thing, and the right thing is to go easy," said Pat Patrick, vice president of the Adams Morgan Business and Professional Association. He favors the restrictions but said they should be just one component of a more comprehensive plan to push public transportation and manage taxicab travel.

Others disagreed.

"Handing out tickets is the wrong way to do it," said Rachid Abdallah, owner of the Bossa, a club that features live Latin and jazz rhythms and artwork.

Although Abdallah supports the plan to restrict parking as a temporary solution, he suggested following the approach taken by cities such as Miami, Paris and Barcelona, where streets are closed to weekend vehicle traffic to encourage thriving pedestrian thoroughfares.

"I think it would add more charm," Abdallah said. "This is the international quarter of D.C, and we should capitalize on that."

Phyllis and Cameron Ferguson, who were planning to have an Indian meal in Adams Morgan, drove around the neighborhood for more than an hour before finding a parking space. But after receiving a ticket, the couple said that next time they would stay at their Alexandria home and grill.