For discussion PWSC(96-97)105
on 5 March 1997

ITEM FOR PUBLIC WORKS SUBCOMMITTEE
OF FINANCE COMMITTEE

HEAD 707 - NEW TOWNS AND URBAN AREA DEVELOPMENT
New Territories East Development
Transport - Traffic control
10TC - Sha Tin New Town closed circuit television system and traffic
congestion and route information system

Members are invited to recommend to Finance Committee -

1. to upgrade part of 10TC, entitled "Sha Tin New Town - closed circuit television system", to Category A at an estimated cost of $20.2 million in money-of-the-day prices; and
2. to retain the remainder of 10TC in Category B, retitled "Sha Tin New Town - traffic congestion and route information system".

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PROBLEM
PROPOSAL
PROJECT SCOPE AND NATURE
JUSTIFICATION
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
PUBLIC CONSULTATION
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS
LAND ACQUISITION
BACKGROUND INFORMATION

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PROBLEM

We need a closed circuit television (CCTV) system to monitor traffic conditions in Sha Tin New Town to enable quick responses to changing traffic conditions.

PROPOSAL

2. The Director of Territory Development, with the support of the Secretary for Transport, proposes to upgrade part of 10TC to Category A at an estimated cost of $20.2 million in money-of-the-day (MOD) prices for the implementation of a CCTV system for Sha Tin New Town.

PROJECT SCOPE AND NATURE

3. The scope of 10TC for the implementation of an area traffic control (ATC) system for Sha Tin New Town comprises a computer-controlled traffic signal system, a CCTV system, and a traffic congestion and route information (TCRI) system. In January 1994, Finance Committee (FC) approved the upgrading of part of 10TC to Category A as 11TC to implement the computer-controlled traffic signal system.

4. The part of the project we now propose to upgrade to Category A is the CCTV system. The works comprise -

1. installing 19 CCTV cameras in Sha Tin New Town;
2. nstalling a central control system in the New Territories ATC Centre in Tsuen Wan;
3. tapping video signals from the CCTV systems of the Lion Rock, Shing Mun, and Tate’s Cairn tunnels;
4. installing monitoring equipment at the Police Public Relations Branch in Wan Chai, the Police Regional Command and Control Centres in Tai Po and at the Transport Department’s Headquarters and its NT Regional Office in Mong Kok to enhance monitoring of traffic conditions; and
5. acquiring leased telecommunication services.

JUSTIFICATION

5. The operation of all traffic signals in Sha Tin New Town will be controlled centrally at the NT ATC centre when the computer-controlled traffic signal system under 11TC is completed by early 1998. To suit traffic conditions on the ground, the system will adjust traffic signal timings and co-ordinate the operation of adjacent traffic signals so as to minimise vehicle stops and delays. It will also detect faults and malfunctions of traffic signals so that they could be repaired speedily.

6. The proposed CCTV system will allow the ATC centre to monitor actual traffic conditions instantaneously. The control centre can quickly respond to changing traffic conditions by adjusting timings of the computer-controlled traffic signals at the centre as well as taking other necessary measures so that road capacities could be used at the optimum level. Routine patrol and manual adjustment of the traffic signal timing on site will not be necessary. Therefore, the proposed CCTV system will enhance the efficiency of the ATC system by making it more responsive to changing traffic conditions.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

7. We estimate the total capital cost of the project to be $20.2 million in MOD prices (see paragraph 8 below), made up as follows -

8. Subject to approval, we will phase the expenditure as follows -

9. We have derived the MOD estimate on the basis of the Government’s forecast of trend labour and construction prices for the period 1997 to 2000. We will tender the proposed civil and electrical works under separate fixed-price lump-sum contracts because we have firm quantities for the majority of the work and the contract period is less than 21 months.

10. We estimate the annually recurrent expenditure for the project to be $3.5 million.

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

11. We consulted the Traffic and Transport Committee of the Sha Tin District Board on 26 October 1993. The Committee requested early implementation of the project. We also consulted the Transport Panel of LegCo on 10 January 1997. The Panel endorsed the project.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

12. The Director of Environmental Protection conducted an Environmental Review for the project in April 1996 and concluded that the project would not have any adverse environmental implications and therefore no Environmental Impact Assessment was necessary. We shall control environmental impacts caused to the public when minor civil works are carried out by requiring the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures through the works contracts.

LAND ACQUISITION

13. The proposed works do not require land acquisition.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

14. We upgraded 10TC to Category B in November 1992. In January 1994, FC approved the upgrading of part of 10TC to Category A as 11TC "Sha Tin New Town traffic signal control system" at an estimated cost of $32 million. We will start the works under 11TC in March 1997 for completion in early 1998.

15. The Commissioner for Transport has completed the detailed design and drawings for the proposed CCTV system using in-house resources. We plan to commence works in September 1997 for completion in April 1999.

16. As regards the remaining works for the installation of the TCRI system, this will be subject to a review of the provision of traffic control and surveillance facilities in the territory.

(EE1059)

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