ENG-2009 — Page 315

Transport 247

Kong Island started in February 2009 and is scheduled for completion by mid-2010. The replacement works for Kowloon is under way and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2011 and works for the New Territories will start in September 2010. The whole replacement project is expected to be completed by the autumn of 2012.

To facilitate traffic monitoring and incident management, traffic control and surveillance (TCS) facilities, such as CCTV, emergency telephones and lane signals, are provided in all tunnels. To enhance operational efficiency further, more TCS facilities such as variable message signs, variable speed limit signs and automatic incident detection systems have been installed, or are being retrofitted in some tunnels. The Tsing Ma Control Area, Tsing Sha Control Area and Kong Sham Western Highway are also equipped with TCS facilities.

Five speed map panels will be installed in the New Territories to provide motorists with information about congestion levels along alternative routes and estimated journey time information on a map-type display. The project is scheduled for completion by mid-2012.

Automatic Toll Collection

Automatic toll collection (autotoll) systems were first installed at the Cross- Harbour Tunnel and Aberdeen Tunnel in August 1993, and subsequently in all tunnels and at the Lantau Link. The systems allow motorists with tags on their vehicles to drive through designated toll booths without having to stop to pay. Since October 1998, these autotoll systems have been unified so that a subscriber needs only one tag to use all tunnels and toll roads fitted with the system. About 50 per cent of motorists used autotoll when passing through the tunnels and toll roads in 2009.

Parking

On-street parking is provided where there is a parking demand and where traffic conditions permit. At year-end, Hong Kong had about 17 900 parking spaces with electronic parking meters in operation. These parking spaces are managed and operated by a private operator under a contract with the Government.

The Government owns 14 multi-storey car parks plus the Sheung Shui Park- and-Ride Public Car Park and an open-air car park near the Lantau Link View Point, together providing about 7 900 parking spaces. They are run by two private operators under government contracts.

In addition to government car parks, off-street public parking is provided by the Airport Authority at the Hong Kong International Airport, the Housing Department and The Link REIT in some public housing estates, and the private sector in multi- storey commercial/residential buildings and open-air public car parks. Park-and-ride facilities are operated by MTRCL at Choi Hung Station on the Kwun Tong Line, at Hong Kong, Kowloon and Tsing Yi Stations on the Airport Express, Hung Hom Station on the East Rail Line, Kam Sheung Road Station on the West Rail Line, and at some commercial car parks located near Olympic Station on the Tung Chung Line

Page 315Page 316

248 Transport