The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, visited the Transport Department this afternoon (March 29) to learn about the department's work in effective traffic management in preparation for the upcoming typhoon season.

     Accompanied by the Commissioner for Transport, Ms Mable Chan, Mr Cheung was given a briefing on the work of the Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre (ETCC), the operation of the Traffic Control and Surveillance Systems (TCSS) and the Area Traffic Control System (ATCS), and especially how the Department maintained effective traffic management and close co-ordination with public transport operators during typhoons.

     In 2018, ETCC handled some 5 300 traffic and transport related incidents. During the process, the Centre exercised immediate and appropriate co-ordination and contingency plans, and disseminated information on incidents in a timely manner.

     He also observed a demonstration of the operation of the TCSS for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and how the ATCS could co-ordinate traffic in the area of the Central - Wan Chai Bypass.

     The ATCS is a computerised system that integrates the control and operation of traffic signals within a district to assist motorists and pedestrians to cross roads and junctions safely and efficiently. For effective traffic management, the TCSS is equipped with various installations including CCTV cameras, automatic incident detectors, lane control signals, variable speed limit signs and variable message signs.

     Mr Cheung was pleased with the good work of the ETCC and encouraged them to continue to co-ordinate public transport measures during typhoons while working closely with other government departments and public transport operators to respond to incidents appropriately.

     He encouraged colleagues to rise to challenges with dedication and professionalism, and do their utmost to resume the city's traffic in an orderly and timely manner after typhoons.

Ends/Friday, March 29, 2019
Issued at HKT 18:35

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