- 13.
Utility Management System for road opening works
**
Following is a question by the Hon Samuel Wong and a written reply by the Secretary for Works, Mr Kwong Hon-sang, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
It is learnt that a sum of $30 million has been approved for the development of the Utility Management System (UMS) by the Highways Department. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Answer:
Mr President,
the UMS will conform to the best practices available today in terms of its overall suitability and effectiveness in minimising disruptions to the public caused by road openings;
the UMS will accept geographical information in digital form (i.e. electronic maps) provided directly from the utilities;
the UMS will provide direct access to the Geographical Information System (GIS) database used by the utilities so as to improve planning and co-ordination of road opening projects; and
the UMS will facilitate electronic data interchange (EDI) among the Highways Department and the utilities, so that emergency road opening projects can be carried out with the benefit of having all the available data concerning the road opening sites in question?
My answers to the respective parts of the question are as follows:
(a)
The Utility Management System (UMS), being developed by Information Technology Services Department for Highways Department, aims to improve the planning, co-ordination and control of road opening works. It will incorporate advanced and proven information technology to provide an system which, when implemented, will enhance the effectiveness of co-ordinating and controlling road opening works and improve the efficiency of administering the Excavation Permit (EP) system. This will help both Government departments and utility undertakers and will further reduce the disruptions to the public caused by road openings.