Abstract: Traffic congestion has become a common headache for urban residents and an important factor restricting the economic and social development of the city. From the practice at home and abroad, the motor vehicle restriction policy has become a generally recognized important measure, but whether the motor vehicle restriction policy can effectively alleviate traffic congestion has been controversial. In order to evaluate the implementation effect of traffic restriction policy scientifically, this study takes Xi'an as an example, selects the time series data from November 1, 2016 to December 31, 2019, and uses multiple linear regression model to test the effect of traffic restriction policy on easing urban traffic congestion. The results show that: (1) the implementation of the policy can effectively alleviate traffic congestion, but with the extension of the implementation cycle of the policy, the effect of the policy is gradually weakened. (2) Compared with double tailed traffic restriction, the effect of single and double tailed traffic restriction is more obvious. (3) Compared with the late peak, influenced by the derived demand beyond the basic traffic demand, the effect of traffic restriction policy is more obvious in the early peak. Finally, according to the research conclusion, this paper puts forward some suggestions on how to optimize the traffic restriction policy to alleviate traffic congestion.