The Transport Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government has signed a C$740,000 consultancy agreement with Delcan International Corporation of Canada for a feasibility study on the installation of electronic equipment in northwest New Territories to improve efficiency of the road network.

The study will investigate the feasibility of implementing the Area Traffic Control (ATC) and Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) systems in Tuen Mun and Yuen Long districts where Light Rail Transit (LRT) operates through some of the busiest junctions in the area.

The consultants will review the LRT priority at the signalized junctions, investigate the technology of integrating LRT into the ATC system, and will define the project scope, costs and the phasing of implementation.

The 10-month study, which has already started will be completed by early 2000. Transport Department will bid for the necessary resources for detailed design and implementation.

At present, there are about 200 signal-controlled junctions operating in isolated mode in Tuen Mun and Yuen Long, including about 70 junctions which incorporate Light Rail Transit signal control. The proposed ATC system will centrally co-ordinate traffic signal timings to minimize vehicle stoppage and delay.

It will give priorities to fire engines and reduce their journey time. The CCTV system will facilitate the monitoring of traffic conditions through the use of remote control cameras. It is expected that the combined systems would substantially improve the efficiency of the road network in Tuen Mun and Yuen Long.

For further information please contact Chief Information Officer, Frank Chuan at telephone no. (416) 924-5544.