Pico y placa
Pico y placa (Spanish for peak [hour] and [license] plate") is a driving restriction policy aimed to mitigate traffic congestion. The scheme was initially set in place in Bogotá, Colombia, in 1998, by then mayor Enrique Peñalosa to help regulate traffic during rush hours.[1] The system restricts traffic access into a pre-established urban area for vehicles with license plate numbers ending in certain digits on pre-established days and during certain hours. Initially the system restricted traffic between 6 and 9 am, and between 5 and 8 pm, Monday through Friday. However, starting 2009, mayor Samuel Moreno extended the restriction from 6 am to 8 pm, Monday through Friday.[2]
The scheme restricts both private and public use vehicles based on the last digit of the licence plate numbers. Four numbers are restricted every day for private use vehicles, and two for public transportation vehicles. The restricted digits associated to each day rotate every year. Schemes with the same name have been implemented in other Colombian cities, such as Medellín and Cúcuta; and also in Quito, Ecuador's capital city.[3]
Bogota's Pico y Placa in 2011 is applied to the following plate endings since July 1, 2011 in Bogotá:[4]
- 5678: Monday
- 9012: Tuesday
- 3456: Wednesday
- 7890: Thursday
- 1234: Friday
- No restrictions on weekends
The following are the current restrictions:[5]
- Even days: even number endings.
- Odd days: odd number endings.