4.96. A total of 218 illuminated traffic aids were installed, although 140 were removed for various reasons. Traffic markings equivalent to 200 miles of roadways were painted or repainted and trials were made with new plastics in an endeavour to reduce the frequency of traffic delays caused by road marking. There was a rapid expansion in the number of car parking spaces designated on the road, some 1,700 being added on the Mainland and 1,550 in Hong Kong. Installation of new parking meters was restricted to 62 in Kowloon and 196 in Hong Kong due to the limited staff and equipment available, but a detailed programme for a further 1,350 meters was finalized.
Traffic Light Signals
4.97. The newly established unit dealing with traffic light signals has made good progress on design work, but actual installations have been limited by the availability of equipment from the United Kingdom. Of the 27 sets designed in the preceding year, four are now in operation and equipment for most of the remaining 23 sets has arrived and is being tested.
4.98. The design of a further 44 sets is substantially complete and orders have been placed for half of them. Included in these plans are 9 sets of pedestrian operated signals, 18 sets of linked signals, and equipment for two major schemes. The first incorporates 8 sets of linked signals in Queen's Road East to increase traffic speed and improve pedestrian safety, whilst the second provides for 4 sets of signals at the difficult Chatham Road-Ma Tau Wei Road intersection. Revisions to the detailed layout for the Nathan Road Linked Signal System were completed, extending the system northwards to Tai Po Road junction and improving overall capacity. Quotations for the necessary equipment have been called.
Street Lighting
4.99. Progress was limited by the ability of the Power Companies to undertake the large programme involved, but nevertheless a total of 1,298 new lamps were installed. This included 248 on Hong Kong Island, 663 in Kowloon and 387 in the New Territories. Street lighting costs rose to $3,457,000 made up as follows:
Hong Kong $1,395,000
Kowloon $1,682,000
New Territories $380,000
The power rate fell slightly during the year, due to a reduction in the power surcharge.
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