Blog Posts

Trial scheme to improve traffic flow around The ISF Academy 改善弘立書院一帶的交通流 - 試驗計劃

6/4/2021

To improve traffic flow, the Transport Department has agreed to a trial scheme banning right hand turns along Information Crescent. Plastic cones will be placed on 12 April 2021 when the school resumes after the Easter Break as shown in the pictures and drawings. Upon completion of the 2-week scheme there will be a review. Separately, Transport Department is studying a proposal to relocate the crossing outside Cyberport 2 to minimize conflict with traffic exiting the Cyberport carpark.

為改善學校的交通流，運輸署同意以試驗形式禁止於資訊道右轉入路口及避車處。2021年4月12起，即復活節假期完結後的第一個上課日，當局會於相關路段放置雪糕筒，為期兩個星期。運輸署會於試驗期結束後檢討成效。另外，署方正研究搬移數碼港二期對出過路處方案的可行性，令車輛能更順暢地離開數碼港的停車場。

Real-time Adaptive Traffic Signal System at Victoria Road/ Sandy Bay Road junction 域多利道／大口環道路口實時交通燈號調節系統

6/4/2021

[6/4/2021]

The junction of Victoria Road / Sandy Bay Road is one of five pilot schemes for a new Real-time Adaptive Traffic Signal System. The traffic lights are now controlled using radar and thermal technology to improve the efficiency of the junction. It will take some time for the system to 'learn' the traffic, it will get smarter over time.

域多利道／大口環道路口被選為「實時交通燈號調節系統先導計劃」五個選址之一。現已正式投入運作，利用雷達及熱能探測改善路口的效率。系統會隨著時間更準確掌握交通模式。

[10/7/2020]

Preliminary testing is under way at the junction of Victoria Road / Sandy Bay Road as one of the five sites in Hong Kong for a pilot scheme of a Real-time Adaptive Traffic Signal System. Installation will be carried out this quarter and the expected implementation is end of October. We met with the Transport Department and Siemens Mobility and learned how radar and thermal technology will help improve efficiency of the junction. Please refer to their presentation below for details. We urged them to consider the junction of Cyberport Road / Victoria Road in the next round.

域多利道／大口環道路口被選為「實時交通燈號調節系統先導計劃」五個選址之一。今個星期剛進行初步測試，安裝工程會於今季展開，預計今年10月尾會正式投入服務。我們早前於運輸署及西門子交通會面，了解雷達及熱能探測系統如何改善路口的效率，詳情可瀏覽他們的投影片。我們已要求署方考慮於下一階段為域多利道／數碼港道路口安裝此系統。

Illegal racing, speeding, noisy engines 非法賽車、超速駕駛及嘈吵引擎聲

26/3/2021

Report vehicles with illegal modifications 舉報非法改裝車輛

Police conducted two operations in our district including Victoria Road this week. Five vehicles were towed away on suspicion of illegal modifications. Three vehicles were issued orders for examination. Police will continue their operations against road racing in the district. For those who wish to report the registration details of vehicles suspected of illegal modifications may use the Transport Department's form (link).

今個星期警方於域多利道進行了兩次打擊非法賽車的行動，期間因懷疑涉及非法改裝而扣查了5輛私家車並向3輛私家車發出驗車令。警察會繼續進行打擊非法賽車行動。如你懷疑有車輛涉及非法改裝，你可透過運輸署的表格（連結）作出舉報。

Victoria Road Resurfaced At Upper Baguio Villa 域多利道近上碧瑤路面已重鋪

18/2/2021

Analysis: Zebra crossing outside Bel-Air Phase 1&2 分析：貝沙灣一二期對出斑馬線

16/1/2021

[Updated on 23 Apr 2021]

Following an accident at the zebra crossings outside Bel-Air Phase 1 & 2 early evening of 28 December we started a survey. There have been previous accidents and reported near misses. We have made improvements over the years. We conducted several site visits including with the Transport Department to identify the problems, to discuss the survey results here, and to discuss what we can do next under the Transport Planning and Design Manual. Our analysis is below. Email us at info@paulzimmerman.hk with your comments. We hope to receive detailed options from Transport Department in a few weeks for further discussion.

2020年12月28日貝沙灣一二期對出斑馬線發生交通意外後，我們透過問卷調查收集大家的意見。這個位置過往亦曾有意外或危險情況出現，多年前進行了改善措施。我們與運輸署實地視察討論問題所在、問卷調查結果及於《運輸策劃及設計手冊》（TPDM）下可行的改善方案。以下是我們的分析，歡迎電郵我們：info@paulzimmerman.hk 發表你的意見。我們希望於數星期內收到運輸署的方案以便再作討論。

The problem
The current crossing is split into two separate crossings by a traffic island. In Hong Kong it is only 'mandatory' for drivers to stop once someone has stepped onto a zebra crossing (Road Users' code Chapter 5). When you're are crossing the first lane, the vehicle travelling in the opposite direction does not have to stop until you stepped onto the second lane. This is scary as the traffic island is narrow, hardly wide enough for a child with scooter or a mother with a pram. Also, people rushing to the bus stop on the right may fail to stop and look left at the traffic island.

問題所在
安全島將斑馬線分割為兩段。根據香港的《道路使用者守則》第五章，駕駛者只需於有行人踏足斑馬線後時停車。當你橫過斑馬線第一段時，對面線的車輛不需要為你停低，直至你踏足斑馬線的第二段。這就是危險所在，加上安全島偏窄，不足以完全容納兒童的踏板車或家長的BB車。另外，大家追巴士的時候亦可能未有充分留意左手邊的車輛。

Traffic lights
Opinions are split 50/50. Half the respondents support pelican (push button operated) traffic lights. The other half prefer minor adjustments or no change. Most common reason given is dead waiting time for vehicles and pedestrians.

增設交通燈
居民意見一半一半，半數受訪者贊成增設按制式交通燈，另一半則認為不需要採取重大措施，主因為按制式交通燈將會令駕駛人士及行人作出不必要的等候。

One narrow crossing
Removing the traffic island and narrowing the lanes would make this one crossing. Traffic in both directions would be required to stop when a pedestrian is anywhere on the crossing. It would require some learning for local drivers who are used to “sneaking through before a pedestrian reaches their lane”. This design is currently used in Sandy Bay Road (link).

一段式斑馬線
移除安全島及收窄路面會將斑馬線由兩段結合為一段。南行線及北行線的車輛均必須於有行人橫過斑馬線時停車。當然大家亦可預計始終有車輛會於行人未完全踏回行人路之前開車離開。鄰近的大口環道正在使用這種設計（見圖）。

Widen traffic island
The third option identified during discussions this week is the widening of the traffic island. Whether we can add railings at the traffic island (no reference under existing rules) and improve lighting (measurements completed by Highways Department show that lighting meets prevailing standards) is still in doubt and requires more discussion. Additional police presence is unlikely. Raised speed table is not yet standard in Hong Kong. The Transport Department may recommend a cautionary crossing – removing the zebra when they widen the island.

擴闊安全島
這是今個星期商討改善方案時浮出的第三個方案。路政署已量度了街燈光度，量度符合現行標準，現時還在商討能否增強照明系統。運輸署亦需研究設計手冊能否容許他們於安全島增設攔杆以使行人過第二段馬路前向左望。暫時不宜過份樂觀。拱起的減速平台於香港仍在試驗階段，暫未能全面落實。至於加強執法的意見，警方資源有限，只能盡量。如能擴闊安全島，運輸署可能建議將斑馬線改為非行人優先的「行人輔助線」過路處。

Traffic accident at zebra crossing outside Bel-Air Phase 1&2 貝沙灣一二期對出斑馬線發生交通意外

29/12/2020

Zebra crossings are wonderful in countries where they are respected. Where a driver stops when a pedestrian approaches the crossing. In Hong Kong, it appears we have given up on zebra crossings. They are sparsely used. As a result drivers don’t understand how to use them. The Transport Department prefers using cautionary crossings (“Look Left” or “Look Right” markings on the road) whereby the responsibility for crossing safely is entirely with the pedestrian.

Last night around 6:15pm, a pedestrian was hit and injured by a vehicle at the zebra crossing of Cyberport Road outside Bel-Air Phase 1&2. My heart goes out to everyone involved. We have spoken with the Police and Transport Department this morning about the accident.

This is not the first accident at this crossing. Improvements have been made. In 2014, we narrowed the carriageway, improved road markings and signages. The only improvement not yet made is a speed table, the raising of the crossing to force vehicles to slow and to improve visibility. This common design in other countries is part of a trial scheme in Shatin, but not yet approved for roll out.

In the past, residents did not favour traffic lights as this may impact traffic flow and they emit audible sounds. We suggested that the Transport Department increase lighting requirements for crossings by looking at examples from Europe. The response was that 'adequate lighting has been provided and there is no need to provide dedicated light to highlight pedestrian crossings'. I disagree.

We appear to run out of options. Either the crossing is upgraded to a push button (pelican) traffic light crossing, or downgraded to a ‘cautionary crossing’(example). The expectations and experience with zebra crossings varies, and that is where the danger lies.

Survey Results 問卷結果

斑馬線於外國受行人歡迎，主要原因是駕駛者會停下來讓行人過馬路。然而，香港的文化及駕駛態度並不一樣，司機忽略斑馬線的使用守則，惡性循環下令斑馬線不被重視，多年來亦沒有再出現新的斑馬線。運輸署偏好採用「行人輔助線」過路處，即非行人優先的過路處。

昨晚6時15分左右，一名行人於貝沙灣一二期對出斑馬線過馬路時遭車輛撞倒，需送院治理，我在此祝願傷者早日康復。今早，我們已聯絡警方及運輸署商討這宗交通意外。

這個斑馬線並非第一次發生交通意外。2014年我們將過路處的行車路面收窄，改善了路面標記及路牌等。尚未進行的改善措施包括增設拱起的減速平台，促使駕駛者進入斑馬線前減速，這種外國流行的設計現屬先導計劃，於沙田試行，暫時仍在檢討階段。

以往居民對增加設交通燈有不同意見，有人擔心交通流受影響及交通燈的聲音於深夜時分變得明顯。我們早前向運輸署提出應仿效歐洲做法，於過路處增設專用照明系統，然而他們回應指「照明應已足夠，無需設置額外照明設施」，我並不同意。

剩餘方案看來並不多：要不將斑馬線改為按制式交通燈過路處，或降格為非行人優先的「行人輔助線」過路處（例子）。每位行人及駕駛人士對斑馬線均有不同的經歷及期望，這就是危險所在。

Illegal racing, speeding, noisy engines 非法賽車、超速駕駛及嘈吵引擎聲

11/12/2020

Complaints over racing, speeding and noisy engines have been on the increase, especially with the cooler weather. Reports of late night or early morning racing during the weekend have been passed to the Police including specific information provided by residents. Last Sunday, the police carried out an operation at Victoria Road near Sassoon Road and towed two vehicles away for suspected unauthorised modifications. We will continue to pass your information (date, time, location, number of vehicles) to the Police. Pictures and video would be helpful, but we understand this may not be easy.

最近兩個月非法賽車、超速駕駛及嘈吵引擎聲的投訴有所增加。我們多次將居民的報告轉告警方，發生時間多數為週末的清晨時分。上星期日警察交通部於域多利道近沙宣道進行反超速行動，期間兩架車輛懷疑被非法改裝，已被拖走作進一步檢驗。我們會繼續將大家提供的情報（日期、時間、地點、車輛數目等）轉交警方以作跟進，如有相片或影片更佳。

Six new electric vehicle chargers at Cyberport 數碼港新增6個電動車充電位

18/11/2020

6 new chargers have been added in the carpark of Cyberport Arcade, 3 of them are V3 superchargers and the remaining are medium chargers, they will come into service this Thursday (19 Nov 2020). Separately, government's 'EV-charging at Home Subsidy Scheme' is now open for application. Please click here for eligibility and details: https://www.evhomecharging.gov.hk/en/eligibility

新增的電動車充電器位於數碼港商場停車場，3個為中速充電器，另外3個為V3快速充電器，今個星期四（11月19日）起投入服務。另外，政府的「EV屋苑充電易資助計劃」現正接受申請，請瀏覽 https://www.evhomecharging.gov.hk/tc/eligibility 了解申請資格及詳情。

School traffic saga 學校交通

18/10/2020

All parties are aware of the trouble caused by school traffic. ISF and Cyberport have put additional staff on the street to help with managing the flow at crossings and laybys. Transport Department has drawn up a plan for a trial scheme banning ban right turns near the school to help the traffic flow better. It appears that more parents opt for private transport over the use of the school bus. This is not helpful.

今個學年多了家長使用私家車接送學童返學放學，校巴的使用率明顯下降。區內學校附近的道路擠塞對多方造成影響，弘立書院及數碼港已安排額外人手在場協助管理過路處及避車處的人流。運輸署正在草擬一項試行計劃禁止車輛於學校附近道路右轉，以改善交通流。

Entrance of Queen Mary Hospital’s New Block a threat to road safety 瑪麗醫院新大樓車輛出入口將會影響道路安全

24/8/2020

[Updated on 9 Sep 2020]

To date over 640 residents signed the online petition. In response, the Queen Mary Hospital has proposed to swap the entrance and exit (click here for the presentation). Although this revision has merits, concerns remain over sightlines, footpath width, and queue length. Other concerns have emerged over passenger flows and (mini) bus stops. A resident, a senior engineer with deep experience in transport design, is volunteering time to review the plans. The New Block plans will have significant impact on a critical junction for Pokfulam. Residents with relevant expertise who wish to volunteer input on the revised plans for the QMH New Block entrance are invited to contact us at info@paulzimmerman.hk .

截至今日，超過640名居民簽了網上聯署。瑪麗醫院作出了回應，建議將出入口位置互調（按連結瀏覽方案）。這個方案有可取之處，但是我們仍在等候院方交待如何處理視線範圍、行人路闊度、車輛排隊長度、小巴及巴士乘客的行走路線等問題。同時，區內一名資深道路工程師向我們提供了寶貴及專業的意見。新大樓的出入口會影響薄扶林居民主要出入道路的交通流，如閣下有專業意見可以提供，歡迎電郵我們：info@paulzimmerman.hk。

Recently discovered plans show that vehicles entering and leaving Queen Mary Hospital’s New Block will impact Pok Fu Lam Road immediately at the slip road to Sassoon Road. Today as the 30 storey New Block is under construction, 4 traffic wardens make sure that traffic is managed safely. Unfortunately, we can’t expect the same service once the New Block starts operations (2024).

Since 2015 we have urged Queen Mary Hospital to use the former bus stop as a diverge to enter the New Block. The drawings we recently discovered show our warnings have been ignored. To enter, vehicles will have to come to a complete dead stop on Pok Fu Lam Road - right where buses, mini buses and private cars exit Pok Fu Lam Road to go to the bus stop, Sassoon Road, Bisney Road and the existing entrance to the hospital. During peak hours, one vehicle exits Pok Fu Lam Road here every 3 seconds. We have requested for the latest traffic impact assessment. We understand that at least 200 ambulances, trucks, and staff cars will use the new entrance every day.

最新資料顯示瑪麗醫院新大樓的車輛出入口將會直接影響薄扶林道南行線轉入沙宣道的道路安全及車流量。新大樓樓高30層，現時工地內有多名工人協助指揮交通以便工程車輛出入，相信大樓於2024年落成後便會取消這個安排。

自2015年起，我們多次促請院方使用旁邊已棄用的巴士站作新大樓入口的分支路。最近我們從圖則得知院方不但未有理會我們的建議，所有從薄扶林道南行線進入新大樓的車輛需減至非常低速轉90度左彎進入新大樓，而這個彎位正是巴士、小巴及私家車等現時需要靠左離開薄扶林道前往巴士站、沙宣道、碧荔道及醫院小路的位置。繁忙時間平均每3秒鐘就有1架車輛於這位置靠左離開薄扶林道，可見屆時交通流及道路安全將會受到影響。我們已要求院方提供交通影響評估的報告。按理解，每日大概會有200架次的車輛使用這個新出入口，當中包括救護車、貨車及職員車輛。

Sign petition: Change the dangerous entrance at Queen Mary Hospital's New Block
We urge residents to let the Hospital Authority know that the entrance design of the New Block is unacceptable. The New Block – which is described as Asia’s tallest hospital structure – must make sure vehicles exit Pok Fu Lam Road quickly and smoothly.
You can click here to join our petition to the Hospital Authority.

網上聯署：重新設計瑪麗醫院新大樓的車輛出入口
我希望大家能參與網上聯署告訴醫院管理局新大樓出入口的設計實屬不能接受。局方有責任確保新大樓（全亞洲最高的醫院大樓）的設計能讓車輛暢順地駛入及駛出。
網上聯署：連結