Abstract This research is concerned with the properties of incident-induced traffic jams on rectangular grid networks and possible measures for preventing and controlling them. However, while most conventional traffic management measures aim to increase capacity and hence postpone the onset of gridlock, this research develops several alternative strategies for protecting networks from gridlock and dissipating traffic jams once they have formed. The treatment focuses on the installation of bans at specific network locations. Turn bans are imposed on selected links to break gridlock cycles at the centre of the traffic jam. By contrast, ahead bans are implemented around the traffic jam envelope to reduce input into critical sections of the road. The control strategies have been tested using a simulation model and some general control principles have emerged. While not immediately applicable to real networks, since they incorporate simplifying assumptions, they point to certain general characteristics of traf...