Traffic Jams

We have been able to see the first effects of the new policy Beijing has put in place to help traffic and pollution during the Olympics.  From here onward to the end of the Olympics, only half of the registered cars in Beijing will be allowed to use the roads on any given day.  On even days, cars with licenses ending in even numbers can drive, and likewise for odd numbered days.

Now, there are obviously some exceptions, including taxies, buses, and government vehicles, and also this doesn't affect cars not registered in Beijing, meaning visitors from Shanghai or other places are not held to the policy.  However, the overall feel of the streets is that there are a significantly less number of cars on the roads.  We haven't noticed anything significant in the pollution levels, but that might take a little longer, so we'll have to see.

It got our group talking, after we noticed that the policy was actually doing something, that such a system would never be able to work in the U.S., say for instance if Chicago gets the bid for their own Olympic games.  Even though the idea has merit and would improve traffic situations for the games, people would never allow their right to drive wherever they please t be taken away.   I'm not saying that as a good thing either, but it just gets you thinking a bit that we sometimes should look more closely at situations than simple knee jerk reactions to them.

Oh, but there is one problem with this idea.  We, for our job, have to take the subway all the time.  This policy means more people using the subway.  And that's going to make an already crowded ride, even more crowded.  Yippee.