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LCQ20: Users' reactions to intelligent lifts at Mongkok Government Offices were mixed

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Following is a question by the Hon Ho Chung-tai and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (June 18):

Question:

It has been reported that the lifts at Mongkok Government Offices previously operated on an intelligent system, but the public were not accustomed to the operation of the system. The intelligent system was subsequently removed and replaced by traditional lift operating devices. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) whether the authorities have assessed the degree of public acceptance of the intelligent lift since its implementation;

(b) how intelligent lifts compare to traditional lifts in terms of the installation and maintenance costs as well as their service life; and

(c) how the removed intelligent system has been disposed of?

Reply:

Madam President,

The intelligent lifts at Mongkok Government Offices were installed by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) under a pilot scheme to conserve energy. Intelligent lifts differ from traditional ones in being equipped with an intelligent group control system and new button panels that enable them to adjust to the landing call according to the demand of users. In the implementation of the pilot scheme, the EMSD only retrofitted the existing four lifts at Mongkok Government Offices with the control system to convert them into intelligent lifts for trial operation.

(a) Upon the implementation of the pilot scheme, the EMSD commissioned the City University of Hong Kong to conduct an assessment. The assessment report has revealed that the users' reactions to intelligent lifts were mixed. While some users thought that their performance was better in terms of waiting time and journey time, some pointed out that new users had greater difficulty in getting accustomed to the intelligent system. The data collected by the EMSD and the public opinions made known to the department through the management office of Mongkok Government Offices show that the members of the public visiting the Government Offices have greater difficulty in adjusting to the new system because they do not often use such intelligent lifts.

(b) According to the available data, the difference in the new installation cost between an intelligent lift and a traditional one is generally not greater than 5% whereas the maintenance costs of the two systems are more or less the same. In general, the service life of each system can exceed 20 years. The buildings in which the intelligent lift system has been installed include Devon House of Taikoo Place and AIA Tower in North Point.

(c) Upon completion of the pilot scheme, the intelligent system has been repurchased by the contractor for retrofitting the lifts.

End/Wednesday, June 18, 2003

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