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TRANSPORT
Since the introduction of the Driving Offence Points System in August 1984, 50 406 disqualifications have been ordered by the courts and 483 103 notices have been served under the Road Traffic (Driving-offence Points) Ordinance. The figures for 1998 were 7 865 and 52 630 respectively. Over the past five years, 492 886 drivers have incurred driving offence points for committing scheduled offences under the Driving Offence Points System. In January 1998, the scheduled offences of the Driving Offence Points System were expanded to include offences of 'speeding' and 'crossing double white lines' committed in road tunnels and the TMCA.
Electronic Road Pricing
A feasibility study on Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) began in March 1997, examining the various related technology options. Field evaluation of two selected technology options was conducted to confirm their suitability and reliability for application in Hong Kong. Tests were carried out on public roads in Wan Chai and off-street tests were done at Kai Tak. The government will assess the situation when the feasibility study is concluded in mid-1999.
Traffic Control and Surveillance
The use of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras for monitoring the traffic conditions of the major highways of Tuen Mun Road and West Kowloon Highway proved to be very successful. In all, 23 CCTV cameras were installed along these two highways by the end of 1998. Works are being carried out for the installation of CCTV cameras in North Lantau Highway and public transport interchanges at Tsing Yi, Tung Chung and Chek Lap Kok. They are expected to be completed in mid-1999. Similar CCTV cameras are being planned for other open highways and major public transport interchanges.
There were 669 sets of roadside emergency telephones installed along expressways and flyovers at the end of 1998 —— 81 on Hong Kong Island, 152 in Kowloon and 436 in the New Territories. A renewal programme is under way to improve the operational effectiveness of the roadside emergency telephones. It is anticipated that the works on upgrading 157 old emergency telephones for operation under the new regional emergency telephone systems will be completed in mid-1999.
A continuing expansion programme of traffic control and surveillance systems is being implemented to improve traffic management in the urban areas and the new towns. At the end of 1998, there were 1 421 signalised junctions, of which 1 054 were under the control of Area Traffic Control (ATC) system. Among these, 317 were on Hong Kong Island with 40 CCTV cameras in use for traffic surveillance, 524 were on Kowloon with 60 CCTV cameras. In the New Territories, the Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing ATC and CCTV systems controlled signals at 130 junctions and monitored traffic conditions through 22 CCTV cameras.
The Sha Tin ATC system covering 83 junctions was completed in April 1998. Works for a related CCTV system with 19 cameras will be completed in 1999. The ATC and CCTV systems will be expanded to Tai Po and North District, Tuen Mun and Yuen Long.
Use of Information Technology in Transport
Reliable and comprehensive transport information enables commuters to make an informed choice on routes and modes of transport. Ready provision of reliable, up-