Shanghai plans a new Website and a phone hotline late this year to help drivers avoid congestion during rush hour, municipal officials said yesterday.

The Chinese language service will be frequently updated depending on traffic situations, project officials said.

"The service system will provide drivers with quick and accurate traffic information," said Wang Zijin, an official of the government-backed Shanghai Electrical Apparatus Research Institute - which develops the system.

She said users of the service will be able to get timely and free updated traffic information and advice before driving on street.

The timely traffic information will be collected by traffic police, automatic cameras and road-embedded sensors. And all the information will be handled and delivered to the service operators.

Preparation of the Website and hotline was begun in 2004.

Wang said the research institute is planning to add the municipality's network of cycling lanes to the system so that cyclists can also check the route beforehand.

Some transport experts are urging the government to encourage public transport and cycling. Zhao Guotong, a local transport expert, said, "Encouraging locals to ride a bike, bus or Metro is the most effective way to alleviate traffic congestions."

Currently, the metropolis has more than 2 million vehicles, with 10,000 vehicles added each month.

In addition to the traffic guidance service, the municipal government is also planning to provide similar information updates on parking availability by 2008. The parking information system will allow residents to look for and reserve parking spots over the Internet or by phone.

(Shanghai Daily July 11, 2006)