[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。
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. 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。 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。 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。 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。 [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 Resurfacing of Victoria Road is done in sections. Baguio Villa entrance was completed last Saturday. We thank everybody for their patience. Other sections will follow in due course.
路政署於上星期六完成重鋪近下碧瑤的域多利道北行線路面。其他路段的重鋪工程正在排隊當中。 To improve traffic along Cyberport Road near Bel-Air Phase 4 – 6, Transport Department will make the following changes:
為改善數碼港道近貝沙灣四/六期一段的交通流,運輸署建議:
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