ENG-2002 — Page 309

TRANSPORT

Traffic Control and Surveillance

The use of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras for monitoring traffic conditions on major highways has proved successful, providing real-time traffic information to government departments to monitor traffic and allowing them to react quickly in case of traffic disruption or emergency. A total of 48 CCTV cameras are operating along Tuen Mun Road, West Kowloon Highway and North Lantau Highway and along roads leading to boundary crossings and to the River Trade Terminal in Tuen Mun. In June, the Transport Department commenced the design and construction of a Traffic Control Centre (TCC) for completion by early 2004. The TCC will accommodate Area Traffic Control (ATC) systems in the new towns, the Emergency Transport Coordination Centre (ETCC) and the monitoring system of the Tsing Ma Communication Centre (TMCC) to facilitate traffic management, incident management and dissemination of information.

A programme for extending the traffic control and surveillance systems is being implemented to improve traffic management in the urban areas and the new towns. At year-end, there were 1 647 signalised junctions, of which 1 140 were under the control of ATC systems.

Construction work for expansion of the ATC and CCTV systems to Tai Po and North District commenced in mid-2002 for completion in early 2004. This expansion will cover 122 junctions, with 30 CCTV cameras.

Review and design of the renewal and expansion works of the ATC and CCTV systems on Hong Kong Island commenced early in the year, and the installation works will be completed by the end of 2005.

Use of Information Technology in Transport

Reliable and comprehensive transport information enables commuters to make informed choices of routes and modes of transport resulting in more efficient use of road space, smoother traffic flow, enhanced road safety and improved accessibility. Development of the Transport Information System (TIS) is in progress. Upon completion, the TIS will become a central data warehouse of transport information which will enhance the operations of the Transport Department as well as other departments. It will also facilitate the development of various services by the private sector such as car navigation and fleet management. The system is scheduled for commissioning in phases in early 2004.

For the Journey Time Indication System (JTIS), journey time indicators will be provided along the approach roads to the three cross-harbour tunnels on Hong Kong Island to inform motorists of the estimated travel time to the Kowloon exits, so that they may make a more informed choice of route. The system is scheduled for operation by mid-2003.

Automatic Toll Collection

Automatic toll collection systems (autotoll systems) were installed at the Cross- Harbour and Aberdeen Tunnels in August 1993, Lion Rock Tunnel in August 1994, Eastern Harbour Crossing in September 1995, Tate's Cairn Tunnel in May 1996, Western Harbour Crossing in April 1997, Shing Mun Tunnels and Tseung Kwan O Tunnel in October 1997, Tai Lam Tunnel in June 1998 and Lantau Link in July 1998. They allow motorists to drive through designated toll booths without stopping to pay

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