Beijing: Traffic Ban Cleared the Air

Motorists stuck on a traffic jam during peak hour on a major highway in Beijing Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007. Traffic returns to normal in Beijing, after city officials yanked hundreds of thousands of private cars off Beijing's streets last Friday until Monday to test whether a partial car ban could clear health-threatening smog and ease gridlock during next year's Olympic Games. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) (Andy Wong - AP)

Officials said a reading of between 101 to 200 indicates slight pollution and people with heart and respiratory conditions are told to avoid exertion and outdoor activities.

Earlier in the month, the pollution index had dipped as low as 42 and generally hovered in the 70s or 80s in the first two weeks of August.

Chris Miller, director of the global warming campaign at Greenpeace, said the car ban was a step in the right direction for China, but he doubted whether it showed any real commitment to improving air quality.

"This is a short-term solution to what is a very acute and long-term problem. In some ways it just highlights how serious the problem really is," he said.

"They will probably be able to get air pollution to at least semi-acceptable levels for a couple of weeks at Olympics sites in and around Beijing, but the question is why can't they then figure out how to make that happen every day?" Miller said.

Beijing residents praised the traffic controls, saying they were necessary to ease gridlock. Zhai Shuanghe, an official with the city traffic management bureau, said average traffic speeds on main roads rose just over 53 percent, to about 27 mph.

"I thought it was very good. There was an immediate effect on the traffic," said a woman who gave her surname as Li. She said she usually drives 2-3 times a week.

A cab driver, who only gave his surname as Wang, said his business did not increase significantly, but he thinks the controls should be in place beyond the Olympics.

"I think it's good to regulate by license plate number. I think they should do it long-term, so there's no congestion," he said.

Traffic controls are just one way Olympics organizers have tried to clear the skies. Officials have spent billions of dollars closing factories and moving others out of the city. Frenzied, around-the-clock construction to modernize Beijing will be curtailed ahead of the games next summer.

Beijing is particularly focused on combating particle pollution, which can cause breathing problems and reduced visibility. That pollution is caused by emissions from power plants, diesel engines and wind-blown dust. High ozone levels, which occur on sunny days when nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons emitted by car tailpipes, power plants and factories react in the air, are also a problem.

Zhai said the restrictions were widely respected, with only 5,648 cars found in violation.

"It demonstrates the great consciousness and civilization of Beijing citizens," he said.

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Associated Press Writer Lily Hindy in New York contributed to this report.