ENG-1997 — Page 302

TRANSPORT

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controlled 177 signalised junctions and monitored traffic conditions through 22 CCTV cameras.

Works on the Sha Tin ATC system continue and, upon completion in early 1998, will cover 83 junctions. A related CCTV system with 19 cameras will be completed in 1999. Plans to expand the ATC and CCTV systems to other new towns are continuing.

In addition to the 19 CCTV cameras on Tuen Mun Road, three CCTV cameras were commissioned for the West Kowloon Highway in early 1997. Works to add eight CCTV cameras for the North Lantau Highway are also being carried out and scheduled for completion in late 1998. Similar CCTV cameras are being planned for Yuen Long Highway, part of Tolo Highway and major transport interchanges leading to the new airport.

There are 616 sets of roadside emergency telephones installed along expressways and flyovers 81 sets on Hong Kong Island, 112 in Kowloon, and 423 in the New Territories. A renewal programme is under way to improve operational effectiveness. All future expressways will be equipped with emergency telephones.

Tsing Ma Control Area

The Tsing Ma Control Area (TMCA) has been designated to cover a key section of the highway route to Hong Kong's new international airport at Chek Lap Kok to ensure safe and efficient traffic operations. It comprises a 17-kilometre expressway network stretching from the Mei Foo Interchange at the start of the Tsing Kwai Highway to the Yam O Interchange on the North Lantau Highway. This includes the Tsing Kwai Highway, the Rambler Channel Bridge, the Cheung Tsing Tunnel, the Cheung Tsing Highway, the Lantau Link and the North West Tsing Yi Interchange. Except for the Ting Kau Bridge, all bridges and expressways - including a tunnel were opened to road traffic in May 1997.

The Control Area is equipped with the most extensive traffic control and surveillance system yet introduced in Hong Kong. The system provides a high degree of automation to regulate traffic flow, to assist in dealing with incidents and to provide useful information to motorists. The TMCA is operated and maintained by a private management contractor Tsing Ma Management Limited. With a one-way toll collection arrangement, vehicles travelling on the Lantau Link will be charged twice the single journey toll when they leave Lantau Island. The toll ranges from $20 to $80. Adjoining a viewing platform and visitor centre on the Lantau Link, an open- air car park is provided on the Tsing Yi side of the Link with more than 100 parking spaces. Parking fees range from $15 to $50 an hour.

Parking

The management and operation of on-street metered parking spaces is contracted out to a private operator. On-street parking is provided where traffic conditions permit. At the end of the year, there were 14 190 parking spaces in Hong Kong, with meter charging mainly between 8 am and midnight from Mondays to Saturdays.

Meter charging 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.