Relief at last for gridlocked commuters
PCCW wins contract to deliver real-time traffic news to PDAs or computers
The government has awarded a tender for a long-awaited contract to develop the city's first intelligent transport system, five years after an earlier deal was aborted.
It will enable computer or PDA users to plan their journeys based on real-time road traffic information under a programme called the Transport Information System (TIS).
The HK$103 million contract was awarded on August 23 to PCCW Solutions. It is due to be completed in 18 months.
Real-time traffic conditions will be provided, in addition to factual details such as actual distance to destinations, to subscribers on their computer or PDA.
The project, which will bring Hong Kong into line with other leading economies on its electronic traffic notification network, suffered a setback after an initial contract awarded to IBM ended in dispute.
Apart from the system design, PCCW will also provide an 'intelligent road network' as part of the contract. This will incorporate all information that could affect traffic conditions, including accidents, road diversions and ongoing road works.
This information is currently scattered everywhere and officials are still required to monitor traffic conditions.
Tsang King-man, assistant commissioner for Technical Services of the Transport Department, said the service would be provided to the public for free and would be ready once the intelligent road map was completed.
But the department had still not made a decision on awarding a contract to provide a related service, the Public Transport Information System. This is planned as an internet-based service providing transport options and traffic information specifically for public transport users. Several universities have already developed the relevant technology.
The government is negotiating with mobile operators to allow the traffic system's information to be received by phone, but the issue of payment has led to deadlock.
COMPUTER TRIPS
The planned Transport Information System will include two key services:
1 Intelligent Road Network
A computerised map providing up-to-date traffic directions and details of road restrictions, plus real-time information on jams, accidents, roadworks and weather
Private sector providers will be able to use it to develop applications such as car navigation devices and fleet management systems
2 Public Transport Information System
An internet service providing transport and traffic information to public transport users and motorists for pre-trip planning
3 Users will be able to search for the best routes based on options such as distance, tolls and public transport companies
Sources: Transport Department
