The Chinese capital began today a two-month-long control of vehicle use to
ease traffic pressure and improve air quality for the Olympic Games, set to open
in 19 days.
Beijing's drivers found much less vehicles and a much smoother driving in the
morning, partly because it was on the weekend but largely because of the vehicle
use restriction.
According to a short-term traffic rule effective from July 20 through Sept.
20, vehicles with even and odd plate number run on alternate days in the
metropolis, which boasts 3.29 million vehicles.
The city authorities said the restriction, along with an earlier ban on the
use of vehicles which failed to meet emission standards, would drive 2 million
cars off the roads to ease traffic and improve air quality for the Games.
Car emissions have been considered as one of the major sources of air
pollution in Beijing.
An additional 4 million people were expected to resort to the public
transport system due to the vehicle use control.