After Tianjin drivers were confused by traffic-restriction orders from local environmental and transportation bureaus during a succession of smoggy days early this week, the need for timely smog alerts and forecasts has become urgent, authorities said.

The China Meteorological Administration and the Ministry of Environmental Protection signed a cooperation framework on Tuesday to strengthen forecasting during stretches of heavy pollution.

It is the latest measure taken after the publication in September of a detailed action plan to tackle air pollution. The plan said coal consumption will be cut and new industrial projects, such as power plants and steel mills in key cities and regions, including Beijing and the Yangtze River Delta, will be banned.