Beijing has proved its capacity to ensure smooth traffic during the recently concluded 2008 Beijing Olympics and Paralympics. Experts say the experiences drawn from the Games can help the city regulate traffic in the future.
Our reporter Dan Dan brings us more.
During the two mega sporting events, Beijing's public transport systems have been instrumental in making sure spectators reached the venues and residents got to work and play.
The city has boosted its transportation capacity, with a peak of 15 million people by bus, 5 million by subway and 2.7 million by taxi in a single day.
To guarantee smooth and safe traffic during the Games, three new subway lines, more buses and new routes were added by city authorities.
He Dongquan, a researcher with the China Sustainable Transportation Center, says although such "visible hardware" will benefit the city in the long run, the "invisible software" involving the traffic control is more significant.
"The successful organizing of the traffic and related sectors' coordination during the Games have played a big role in ensuring an effective transportation service. They can be crucial in guiding the city's future traffic schemes."
Meanwhile, special measures such as allowing vehicles to ply only on alternate days, greatly helped regulate traffic during the Games.
Many citizens hail the move and hope it can be continued in the future. Li Xiang is one such person.
"I welcome the measure even though I have a car. I can choose to drive on one day and take the bus or subway on the other. It not helps ease traffic jams but also improves air quality."
But He Dongquan, the researcher with China Sustainable Transportation Center, holds a different view.
"I think the move to limit cars on alternate days can just be a short-term measure. If it carries on for long, many people will buy a second car to deal with the move."
He Dongquan suggests that the special Olympic lanes during the Games should become exclusive bus lanes in the future to ensure efficient, environmental-friendly public transportation.
"Cities like Beijing should have the development of public transportation as its top priority. It should also limit the number of cars running on the roads by increasing tax for high-emission vehicles."
In view of the Paralympics, Beijing updated its barrier-free services at buses and subways.
Gerard Masson, chief of French Federation of Disability Sport who has been to Beijing many times, says he has seen handicapped facilities growing in the city.
"In the last decade, barrier-free facilities in Beijing have developed rapidly. Hosting the Paralympics has spurred the growth of such facilities. Resultantly, public awareness on the disabled and their special needs has increased."
Experts say ensuring smooth traffic in Beijing after the Games is a long-term task. This goal can only be achieved through joint efforts by the government and the public.
Dan Dan, CRI news.
