Congestion charges, parking bans and fees on un-tolled roads are back on the table to try and tackle gridlock.
It comes as the cost of bottlenecks nationally is set to hit €2 billion nationally by 2030.
An increase in the supply of public transport would be the first response but the expansion of the Dart and MetroLink in Dublin and the Bus Connects projects around the country are medium to long-term projects.
The report from the Department of Transport found that even then, measures to deter car users such as congestion charges would be needed to prevent gridlock.
The warning comes following another week of traffic chaos with the pre-Christmas rush, poor weather and the normal commuter crush combining to bring streets to a standstill.
Studies have shown though that transport issues are not just confined to this time of year.
"Some sort of road user charge will happen," said Brian Caulfield who is an associate professor in the School of Engineer at Trinity College.
"Another city that is comparable to Dublin would be Stockholm - they brought it in over a six-month trial but they increased public transport supply.
"If everybody stuck in traffic tried to get onto public transport or networks would be completely congested for public transport too."
