LCQ3: Traffic control and surveillance system
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Question:
While all government tunnels and major trunk roads are currently equipped with traffic control and surveillance systems (TCSSs) which operate round-the-clock, there are views that the problem of traffic congestion in these government tunnels and on such major trunk roads in Hong Kong persists, arousing public concerns about whether TCSSs can provide more comprehensive coverage of the road network in Hong Kong to identify traffic incidents or contraventions in a timely manner. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) under the framework of the Transport Strategy Blueprint, whether the Government has specific plans to expand TCSSs and further step up automatic detection and law enforcement efforts against traffic contraventions through implementation of TCSSs; if so, of the following details of the technology concerned, including the scope of application, scale of input, and estimated implementation timetable; if not, the reasons for that, and whether it will consider establishing an independent review mechanism to ensure that law enforcement actions are carried out in a fair and transparent manner and to safeguard the rights of members of the public to lodge complaints;
(2) the Government conducted the trial of the Ting Kau Bridge Smart Motorway Pilot Scheme (the Pilot Scheme) at the road section of Ting Kau Bridge southbound (Tsing Yi bound) in December 2024, in which the Automatic Incident Detection System assisted in detecting and handling traffic incidents by application of AI technologies; whether the authorities will expand the Pilot Scheme to cover the other major trunk roads, tunnels or roads in the urban areas; if so, of the technical specifications concerned and the timetables involved; if not, the reasons for that; and
(3) given that the Transport Department is actively building an intelligent traffic management platform by making use of AI and big data to identify traffic bottlenecks at road junctions, make forecasts on weather conditions or unexpected incidents, so as to provide updates to the public in a timely manner; whether such platform will include smart monitoring functions (such as AI-powered image analysis of real-time road conditions, automatic alert functions in case of abnormalities)?
Reply:
President,
The Government has been committed to enhancing traffic management efficiency through innovative technologies, and has formulated long-term strategies in the Transport Strategy Blueprint promulgated in February 2026 to promote the application of digital technologies and AI in the transport sector.
My reply to the questions raised by the Member is as follows:
(1) and (3) At present, all road tunnels and the Tsing Ma Control Area are equipped with comprehensive Traffic Control and Surveillance facilities including CCTV cameras, automatic incident detectors, lane control signals, variable speed limit signs and variable message signs for efficient and effective traffic and incident management.
Under the framework of the Transport Strategy Blueprint, the Government proposes to commence a study on the Traffic Management Platform within this year, which will primarily be used to assist in transport planning and traffic management. The platform will integrate various traffic and transport data, including traffic data collected from major roads after smart motorway measures have been implemented, and will use big data analytics and AI technologies to predict changes in traffic conditions, identify traffic bottlenecks, develop emergency response plans, assist with traffic management and transport planning, and disseminate relevant information to the public. The platform will apply AI-based video analytics technology to enable real-time monitoring of road conditions and automatic alerts for abnormal traffic events. The system will be capable of analysing road congestion and recommending solutions in real-time, while sharing real-time information with relevant government departments. For example, the Highways Department can leverage this capability to swiftly clear blocked roads during extreme weather, thereby maintaining smooth traffic flow. In addition, the platform will share information with public transport operators and other stakeholders to facilitate their flexible deployment of vehicles and rapid response to traffic flows brought by major events or unexpected traffic conditions, thereby enabling smoother journeys for the public.
The Transport Department (TD) will implement a regional pilot in suitable districts, with areas around Aberdeen identified as the first site to be prepared within this year. The pilot aims to test the practical applications and functions of the Traffic Management Platform in Hong Kong's road environment.
Regarding the use of technology to support traffic enforcement, the Government will review the development and application of relevant technologies in a timely manner. It will holistically assess the necessity of automated traffic enforcement, taking into account enforcement needs, evidentiary requirements, and public acceptance. The Traffic Management Platform is intended primarily for transport planning and traffic management, and automated enforcement matters are not included during its study phase.
(2) Building on the successful experience of the Smart Motorway Pilot Scheme at Ting Kau Bridge, the Government is progressively implementing and expanding smart motorway management measures across existing major roads and those under planning, with the aim of enhancing overall transport efficiency and enabling more flexible use of road space.
With regard to major roads in the planning stage, the TD has maintained close liaison with relevant works departments to incorporate suitable smart motorway elements and requirements into their designs, such as the Tsing Lung Bridge at the southern end of Route 11, scheduled to open by 2033, and the Northern Metropolis Highway (San Tin Section), scheduled to open by 2036. Specific measures include installing an automatic incident detection system and associated equipment on the relevant road sections to detect traffic incidents swiftly by harnessing AI technology, and to promptly disseminate real-time traffic information to motorists so that they can respond appropriately.
For existing major roads, the Government will take advantage of future opportunities such as road widening or the replacement of Traffic Control and Surveillance Systems (TCSSs) to incorporate smart motorway elements into suitable projects. These include a smart motorway design to be integrated into the planned expansion of San Tin Highway by the Civil Engineering and Development Department this year; the progressive replacement of TCSSs for the Cross-Harbour Tunnel and the Western Harbour Crossing starting in 2027 by the TD, with new systems equipped with active warning functions to enable early detection of emergencies inside the tunnels; and the incorporation of smart motorway design when TCSSs at the Tsing Sha Control Area and Tai Lam Tunnel are replaced at a later stage.
The TD will adopt suitable smart motorway systems, taking into account the actual geographical environment, traffic characteristics and operational needs of each major road or tunnel. The design and operation of these systems will comply with the Government's rigorous requirements on information security and data processing.
Ends/Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Issued at HKT 12:30
Issued at HKT 12:30
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