control and improve the traffic flow in the area. The system also provides priority "Green Wave" routes for fire appliances which reduce the appliance journey time from the fire station to the scene of a fire. Savings in appliance journey time up to 25% have been recorded during experimental runs of the "Green Wave" routes.
9.101
The Unit also has in hand the design of a closed circuit television installation to aid the operation of the Area Traffic Control system. The installation will consist of approximately ten cameras sited at the key intersections in the West Kowloon area, each providing visual information of traffic conditions and allowing the operators to monitor and interpret data supplied automatically by other road-side equipment.
9.102
The traffic diversion associated with Mass Transit Railway construction has meant that considerable changes have had to be made at frequent intervals, both to traffic signal controllers and to traffic control plans. While this has involved considerable extra work, it has not posed any major problems.
9.103
The Unit was involved in dealing with several schemes for tunnels and restricted access roads. It is also organising a Comprehensive Traffic Surveillance Study, which is expected to commence in Autumn 1977, in conjunction with consultants, to assess the requirements and methodology for traffic surveillance and control facilities on restricted access roads throughout the territory.
STAFF, TRAINING AND WELFARE
Staff
9.104
The problem of staff shortages continued to exist in almost every Division in the Office. There were unfilled vacancies in both the professional and assistant professional grades throughout the year. One Senior Engineer and twenty-three Engineers were recruited overseas and three Engineers were appointed locally; eight Assistant Engineers were promoted to full professional grade and eight Engineering Graduates were promoted to assistant professional rank.
9.105
One Senior Engineer and three Engineers left the service on completion of their contracts and ten Engineers resigned. Twenty-eight members of the staff retired during the year, some of them having over 30 years of service.
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