TRANSPORT
registered in the year. Registered goods vehicles totalled 130 374 of which 86 735 were light goods vehicles. The average number of new learner-drivers was 4 033 per month.
Vehicles are examined to ensure that they are roadworthy and properly maintained. Compulsory annual inspection applies to all public service vehicles, goods vehicles and trailers. In 1999, 201 988 vehicles were examined at the four government vehicle examination centres. Private cars over six years old and light goods vehicles not exceeding 1.9 tonnes are inspected annually at 23 designated car testing centres operated by the private sector. In 1999, these centres conducted 134 791 vehicle examinations. Spot checks are conducted on the franchised buses to ensure their roadworthiness. New vehicle models imported to Hong Kong are required to apply for type approval to ensure their compliance with the regulations. In 1999, 543 vehicle types were approved.
Since the introduction of the Driving Offence Points System in August 1984, 57 375 disqualifications have been ordered by the courts and 521 267 notices have been served under the Road Traffic (Driving-offence Points) Ordinance. The figures for 1999 were 6 969 and 34 164 respectively. Over the past five years, 491 835 drivers have incurred driving offence points for committing scheduled offences under the Driving Offence Points System.
Electronic Road Pricing
A feasibility study on Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) began in March 1997 to assess the need for such a system and to examine the various options relating to technology. Field evaluation of two selected technology options has been carried out and found that ERP is technically feasible for application in Hong Kong.
Traffic Control and Surveillance
The use of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras for monitoring the traffic conditions of major highways proved to be successful. Following the completion of the CCTV system along the North Lantau Highway, the total number of CCTV cameras in operation increased to 29. Existing CCTV systems also cover Tuen Mun Road, West Kowloon Highway and Tuen Mun Ferry Pier. Installation of CCTV cameras at public transport interchanges in Tsing Yi and Tung Chung and also at Chek Lap Kok was in progress.
There were 696 sets of roadside emergency telephones installed along expressways and flyovers at the end of 1999 — 81 on Hong Kong Island, 171 in Kowloon and 444 in the New Territories. A renewal programme is under way to improve the operational effectiveness of the roadside emergency telephones. Upgrading of 157 existing emergency telephones was in progress. The majority of works will be completed in 2000.
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 1999, there were 1 456 signalised junctions, of which 1 079 were under the control of Area Traffic Control (ATC) systems. Among these, 861 were on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon with 102 CCTV cameras in use for traffic surveillance. In the New Territories, Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing have 130 ATC
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