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A new Strategic Route Number and Exit Number System initiated by the Transport Department has been implemented to provide better information for motorists in planning long journeys when they do not know the names of roads for each strategic route.

Speaking at a press briefing today (June 3), Transport Department Engineer Mr Johnny Chan Chun-ping said the replacement of existing strategic route numbers and installation of the new exit numbers was completed last month (May 2004).

Mr Chan explained the logic of the new route numbering system, which makes it easier for motorists to remember:

* Route 1 includes the Cross Harbour Tunnel, and Route 2 and 3 the Eastern Harbour Crossing and Western Harbour Crossing respectively. This sequence follows the opening of the three cross-harbour tunnels.

* The east - west Routes 4, 5 and 7 have sequences starting from south to north. Along the northern coast of Hong Kong Island, the original Route 7 and 8 have been combined and re-numbered as Route 4. The section of original Route 2 from Kowloon Bay to Tsuen Wan has become Route 5. The original Route 4 has been renamed as Route 7, and the section of original Route 9 on Lantau has been renamed as Route 8.

* Route 6 has been reserved for a future strategic route.

* The single New Territories loop is named Route 9.

On the new Exit Number System, he said at present motorists might have difficulty locating their destinations, since it was not uncommon that an exit from a Strategic Route would lead to several destinations, which might not be feasible to indicate in the directional signs.

"In such circumstances, an exit numbering system is used in many overseas countries to guide motorists in planning their journeys. Motorists only need to read a driving map in advance and identify the number of the exit leading to the destination.

"By noting the sequence of exit numbers while proceeding along the route, motorists will know in advance that they are approaching the exit leading to the destination," Mr Chan said.

In Hong Kong, exit numbers will begin with "1" at the first exit, normally from the most easterly or southerly starting point of an expressway and will increase by one at the next exit. Exits in both directions at the same interchange (symmetric exits) will have the same exit number. If there is no exit in the opposite direction at the interchange, these non-symmetric exits between interchanges will be numbered with an alphabetical suffix, corresponding with the preceding exit, such as "1A", "1B" and "1C".

"By noting the exit numbers, motorists will have advance information about the exit and hence can minimise sudden lane-changing," Mr Chan said.

The department has launched a campaign, "Remember the Numbers, Make Driving Easier", to help motorists familiarise themselves with the new system.

Mr Chan said: "Leaflets explaining the use of the new system are available for distribution at the Transport Department's licensing offices and toll booths of the Government tunnels. The leaflet has also been uploaded onto the department's website.

"Television and radio Announcements on the Public Interest will start broadcasting today," he said.

Ends/Thursday, June 3, 2004

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