Beijing starts even-odd system for vehicles today

Beijing started today to impose an even-odd system based on licence plate numbers to keep vehicles off the roads on alternate days from July 20 to Sept. 20. This is to ease congestion and improve air quality for the upcoming Olympic Games. 

The new car restriction, brought in from this Sunday, is enforced using the driver's registration number. Odd-numbered registrations are allowed to use their cars one day, even-numbered the next. More than 10,000 detection devices including cameras and "ultrasonic and microwave" scanners have been installed to catch anyone breaking the rules.

The city would meanwhile lift the even-odd ban on vehicles between midnight and 3:00 a.m. every day during the Olympic Games, said the city transport department Saturday, a day before the ban is to take effect.

A slew of measures to boost air quality have been implemented for the Games. Construction workers have been ordered to down tools and high-polluting industries are cutting production. The authorities have ordered firms, shops and other organisations to stagger work times to cut traffic volumes. They are also encouraging as many people as possible to work from home.

The city's public transport system has been improved to cater for millions of Beijingers forced to ditch their cars. Olympic traffic reserved lanes and traffic control measures around the Olympic Center will take effect from Sunday. 

Officials hope about half of the city's estimated 3,300,000 cars will be forced from the road over the next two months.