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 9am and 3pm, Shanghai transport authorities said yesterday.

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 3.3km 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.