TRAFFIC ENGINEERING DIVISIONS

Chief Engineers:

A. H. WILKINS, B.Sc. (Eng.) C.Eng., F.E.D.I., M.I.C.E.

CHAN Nai-keong, C.Eng., M.I.C.E., A.M.I.T.E.

Kwok Wai-kai, B.Sc. (Eng.) (Hons.) C.Eng., M.I.C.E., A.M.I.T.E. (Acting)

General

9.28. In the year 1968-69, vehicle registration rose by 11.4% compared to a 7.3% increase for the year before. This high rate of increase continued into 1969-70 and the number of vehicles registered rose by 13,233 representing an increase rate of 11.5%. Despite considerable effort in the way of traffic management and road improvements, congestion had become noticeable at many key intersections in the urban areas. In order to cope with the ever increasing work in the traffic engineering field, a second Traffic Engineering Division headed by a Chief Engineer was created upon the re-organization of the Civil Engineering Office. Traffic engineering matters on the Mainland and the Island were thus dealt with separately by the two respective Traffic Engineering Divisions.

9.29. The graph on page 105 illustrates the growth in population, road mileage, injury accidents and vehicle registration on the past decade. Generally the trend follows those of preceding years.

Traffic Aids

9.30. Routine installation of all types of traffic aid devices continued throughout the year in conjunction with highway improvements or as separate schemes.

9.31. To guide motorists using the Colony's road network, 34 new directional signs were designed and installed and 6 others were replaced by new designs. The former were mainly at the Kowloon City interchange, the Pui Ching Road/Princess Margaret Road Flyover, and the Chatham Road Flyover.

9.32. The number of illuminated traffic signs throughout the Colony was increased by 146.

9.33. Two new contracts for the supply of traffic signs and one for sign supports were entered into with local manufacturers, each covering a fifteen month period. Some 10,000 gallons of paint were used to

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