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BEIJING, China (AP) — Beijing started its drastic traffic control plan Sunday in a last-minute push to clear the capital’s pollution-choked skies in time for the August Olympics.

Under the two-month plan, half of Beijing’s 3.3 million cars will be removed from city streets on alternate days, depending on whether the license plate ends in an odd or even number.

Skies were relatively clear Sunday and traffic was light. But the real test will come when the work week begins.

To further ease vehicle emissions, one of the city’s chief sources of pollution, employers have been asked to stagger work schedules and public institutions will open an hour later than normal.

Two new subway lines and an airport rail link should also bring relief. All three lines opened Saturday — a month behind schedule.

In addition to the traffic plan, chemical plants, power stations and foundries have to cut emissions by 30 percent beginning Sunday. Dust-spewing construction in the capital was to stop entirely.

It is unclear how the effectiveness of the plan will be gauged. The government has not made public a specific target for emissions levels or said how it will measure air quality.

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