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The Transport Department (TD) will commission five new speed map panels (SMPs) in the New Territories this Saturday (January 26) to provide motorists with real-time traffic information. Motorists can obtain the traffic speeds and journey times of different routes from the SMPs and make informed route choices.
The SMPs are installed at critical diversion points on Kowloon-bound major routes from the New Territories. Three sets of the SMPs are located in New Territories East and two are in New Territories West. The locations of the SMPs are:
New Territories East
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* Tolo Highway southbound near the Science Park
* Tai Po Road southbound near Sha Tin Racecourse
* Tate's Cairn Highway southbound near Shek Mun
New Territories West
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* San Tin Highway southbound near Fairview Park
* Tuen Mun Road southbound near Tuen Mun San Hui
Each panel shows a schematic map of the major routes ahead. The traffic speed on different road sections of major routes is represented in three colours: red for congested traffic with very slow speed, amber for slow traffic and green for smooth traffic with normal speed.
Apart from showing traffic speed with colours, the estimated journey time is also provided. The time indicates the estimated journey time, in minutes, from the related SMP location to Kowloon, Tsuen Wan or Ting Kau via the route shown on the SMP. The journey time is displayed on the SMPs in New Territories West while for the SMPs in New Territories East, the journey time is displayed on the directional sign immediately downstream from the SMPs.
The traffic speed and journey time will be displayed on a 24-hour basis and the displayed traffic information will be updated every two minutes.
The Assistant Commissioner for Transport (Technical Services), Mr Leung Tak-fai, said that the TD has been making the transport system safer, more reliable and efficient, environmentally friendly and satisfying to road users through the application of advanced information and communication technologies by developing the Intelligent Transport Systems.
"It is our goal to fully utilise the limited road space in Hong Kong through the application of innovative traffic management. Overseas experience shows that the SMPs may bring lots of benefits like more balanced traffic flow, alleviation of traffic congestion and savings in journey time, as well as lower fuel consumption by vehicles and less emissions," he added.
In order to enable the public to receive the information of the SMPs anytime and anywhere, the TD also launched the trial version of the "Hong Kong eRouting" smartphone application today. The application provides both a driving route search service and real-time traffic information, including that shown on SMPs. The public may download the Android version in Google Play. The iPhone version will be launched by mid-February.
The traffic information of the SMPs may be obtained via the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk) and mobile homepage (pda.td.gov.hk). The public can also call 2804 2655 to listen to the estimated journey times from the New Territories to Kowloon, Tsuen Wan or Ting Kau.
For enquiries or comments on the SMPs and the "Hong Kong eRouting" smartphone application, please call 1823 or email tdenq@td.gov.hk.
Ends/Thursday, January 24, 2013
Issued at HKT 13:16
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