Measures to improve traffic flow bear fruit

Beijing has intensified its efforts to comprehensively manage road traffic in recent years, with a focus on convenience, smoothness, sustainability, intelligence and safety. By adopting a holistic approach to its transportation system and implementing tailored strategies for individual streets, the national capital aims to improve travel convenience for its 20 million residents.

Maizidian subdistrict in eastern Beijing serves as a noteworthy example of such efforts. Located in Chaoyang district, Maizidian is home to popular destinations such as the Solana shopping complex, Chaoyang Park and Liangma River.

Previously, the subdistrict often suffered from congestion and disorderly parking, impeding the safe flow of vehicles and pedestrians in adjacent neighborhoods.

To tackle these challenges, Maizidian has utilized big data for parking management. Through meetings, community visits and information sharing with various parties such as the local transportation authority, the subdistrict identified potential resources and opened up parking spaces for nearly 1,800 vehicles.

As a hub for shopping, dining and entertainment, the Solana shopping complex attracts a large influx of people and vehicles. To enhance safety, Maizidian subdistrict has collaborated with relevant parties to conduct on-site assessments and formulate plans. This led to the closure of unsafe parking lots, the opening of a parking lot at No 1 North Gate of Chaoyang Park, and initiatives such as four hours of free parking and staggered parking.

To address disorderly traffic caused by food delivery vehicles in Solana, measures such as installing revolving entrances and optimizing meal pickup routes have been implemented, ensuring smooth traffic flow.

Maizidian has also partnered with the transportation authority to upgrade traffic signals and driving routes. Additional personnel have been deployed to guide traffic at intersections during weekends and holidays.

In line with these initiatives, the city revealed the 2025 Beijing Comprehensive Traffic Management Action Plan on Feb 25, which outlines 32 key tasks aimed at establishing itself as a model of transportation excellence.

According to the plan, Beijing Subway will open the remaining segment of Line 17 (Workers' Stadium-Shilihe) and the southern extension of Line 6 (Lucheng-Dongxiaoying South). The proportion of ground bus stops within 50 meters of subway station entrances will increase from 88 percent to 90 percent.

Additionally, Beijing will implement 30 city-level congestion relief projects, adding new parking spaces for 35,000 motor vehicles in the downtown area.

The city also plans to build 11.36 kilometers of lanes for non-motorized vehicles and widen 11.02 km of existing non-motorized lanes.

To improve accessibility, Beijing will renovate 1,000 tactile paths and ramps, upgrade 300 audible traffic signals, create 30 senior-friendly bus routes, and install barrier-free facilities at two overpasses near the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and the China-Japan Friendship Hospital.