ENG-2004 — Page 332

282 Transport

A number of publicity campaigns were launched to promote various aspects of road safety. A Road Safety Vision Competition was held and, based on the winning entries, 'Zero Accidents on the Road, Hong Kong's Goal' was adopted as the Road Safety Vision. To help publicise the vision, a Road Safety Symbol Competition was held. A creative and attractive design, featuring an 'egg' for zero accident with a 'car' cap and surrounded by a road in the shape of the letter 'S' for road safety, was chosen as the Road Safety Symbol. Launching of the 'Hong Kong Road Safety Vision and Symbol' and the 'Smart Driving' campaigns highlighted a determination to achieve the long-term goal towards zero accidents in the city.

Transport and Environment

Government planning for transport infrastructure projects, is based on sustainable development principles. It strives to ensure the best possible integration of land use, transport and environmental planning. It is also the Government's policy to accord priority to railways as the backbone of the transport system. Four railway lines or extensions have opened in recent years, with another expected in 2005.

Less reliance on road-based transport will alleviate the pressure on transport systems and, in turn, lessen the impact on the environment. At the same time, the rationalisation of bus routes and stops and implementation of pedestrian schemes will continue. These will help reduce the impact of vehicle emissions and noise pollution on pedestrians.

Since late 1998, about 2 900 daily bus trips have been eliminated from the busy corridors on the northern shore of Hong Kong Island through service cancellation, frequency reduction, route truncation and amalgamation. In Nathan Road in Kowloon, about 600 daily bus trips have been eliminated since August 2002, enhancing the efficiency of bus operations. Bus stops have also been rationalised to reduce the number of stops on busy corridors.

The environmental impact of new transport projects, during both the construction and operation phases, is also carefully examined. Environmental mitigation measures are implemented where necessary to minimise the environmental impact of transport projects. These include landscaping, artificial contouring of surrounding hillsides, depressed roads, laying of noise-reducing road surfacing and the installation of noise barriers or other forms of noise insulation.

Promoting a better pedestrian environment is one way to enhance the quality of life. Feedback from the public on pedestrian schemes is encouraging. Hong Kong was awarded an American Institute of Architects Hong Kong Citation for 'distinguished achievement in successfully promoting and implementing pedestrianised districts which enhance the urban environment of Hong Kong'.

Pedestrian schemes have been implemented in a number of streets in Central, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, North Point, the Peak, Stanley, Tsim Sha Tsui, Jordan, Mong Kok, Sham Shui Po, Yuen Long and Sheung Shui. In addition, the Transport Department and the Planning Department have commissioned a comprehensive study