ENG-1995 — Page 283

TRANSPORT

and Lion Rock tunnels, and the Eastern Harbour Crossing, respectively. An Autotoll system was being tried out in the Tate's Cairn Tunnel.

Traffic Management and Control

A continuing programme of traffic management and control measures is being implemented to improve traffic flows. At the end of the year, there were 1228 signalised junctions in the territory: 317 on Hong Kong Island, 449 in Kowloon and 463 in the New Territories.

On Hong Kong Island, the signalised junctions on the northern shore, from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan, are generally under the control of the Hong Kong Area Traffic Control (ATC) system. This is being expanded to cover Chai Wan and Southern District. At the end of the year, 276 junctions on the Island were under ATC, and 38 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras were in use for traffic surveillance.

The Kowloon ATC system, which had been in operation since 1977, has been replaced by a new system to increase capacity and upgrade technology. One notable feature of the new system is 'traffic adaptive control', through which signal timings can be automatically adjusted in response to changes in traffic flow. The signalised junctions in Kowloon are now generally under the control of the new system. Work on expanding the CCTV system in Kowloon began in August 1995. This involves adding 66 new cameras to the existing 26-camera system by early 1997, for better monitoring of traffic conditions in Kowloon.

A new ATC system has also been installed to control traffic signals in the Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing districts. Signalised junctions in the two districts are now generally under control of the system and 22 CCTV cameras are being installed for commissioning in early 1996. This system will incorporate the existing four cameras for traffic surveillance of the container port road network. Planning for the expansion of ATC to other new towns is continuing.

The first stage of a traffic surveillance and information system for the whole length of Tuen Mun Road, involving 19 CCTV cameras, was commissioned in July 1995. Work on the second stage for implementing an automatic incident detection and variable message sign system is now under way and due for commissioning in 1997. The full system will reduce response times to accidents and vehicle breakdowns, and provide safety and diversion information to motorists. Similar facilities are being investigated for a section of Tolo Highway.

Parking

The management and operation of on-street, metered parking spaces have been contracted out to a private operator. On-street parking is provided only where traffic conditions permit. At the end of the year, there were 13 670 metered spaces in the territory, most of which operate between 8 am and midnight from Mondays to Saturdays.

Meter operation in areas of high demand has been extended to include Sundays and public holidays to facilitate a better turnover of parking spaces. The maximum meter charge was $2 per 15 minutes.

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