London's Olympics are bigger than Vancouver's 2010 Winter Games and don't happen until summer 2012, but British organizers remain ahead of Vancouver in the transportation-planning race.

The Olympic Delivery Authority unveiled plans last Thursday for a 400-kilometre Olympic road network in the British capital for athletes, spectators, media and sponsors to travel between venues.

Public input is welcomed until March 19.

The City of Vancouver Olympic lane and security closure map, released Nov. 25, was a prelude to the VANOC plan, which won't be done until March, a mere 11 months before the 2010 Games.

"As always, transportation is difficult for Olympic Games," International Olympic Committee executive director Gilbert Felli said in October.

"It's even more difficult in the Winter Games and it will be even more difficult in Vancouver."

London also sought public input on its first draft plan in October 2006 and then published a first edition a year later. The VANOC plan was supposed to have been released by the end of 2007.

The difference for London may be the separation of duties.

The London Organizing Committee is planning and staging the Games, while ODA is responsible for Olympic infrastructure and transportation.

VANOC wears both hats, with help from other public and private bodies.

Bob Mackin writes for 24 Hours.