Shanghai will observe its second "car-free day" on Monday as part of a worldwide campaign. But the local contribution will be more symbolic than substantial.
Cars will be banned only along a portion of Sichuan Road N. in the downtown between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM, Shanghai transport authorities said on Thursday.
A 2km section from the Tiantong Road intersection to the Dongbaoxing Road crossing, will be off limits to cars.
Only public buses, taxies and special-task vehicles such as ambulances will be allowed along the Sichuan Road stretch.
Authorities decided to restrict car movement in a limited area because September 22 falls on a weekday.
Last year, cars were banned from a larger downtown area for the event, which occurred on a Saturday.
Some roads in the Lujiazui area, a 3.3 km stretch on Nanjing Road as well as a 3.27km section of Huaihai Road were off-limits in 2007. The Inner Ring Road was also out of bounds.
Shanghai experienced a 60-percent decrease in traffic volume in these stretches, according to local transport authorities.
Since 2000, September 22 has been declared a day when cities close their roads to cars. Originally a pan-European event, it is now observed in many cities around the world.
The aim is to give the people a chance to experience how their city might look with fewer cars.
(Shanghai Daily September 19, 2008) |