Can HK$8 million research project by Hong Kong universities on rail systems solve city’s MTR breakdowns?

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The MTR has been plagued by breakdowns caused by signalling faults in recent years. Photo: Felix Wong

Published: 7:00am, 28 Jan 2019Updated: 11:08am, 28 Jan 2019

There may be light at the end of the tunnel for frustrated rail commuters in Hong Kong with two universities set to launch an HK$8 million (US$1.1 million) research project on enhancing safety and punctuality of train services.

The MTR Corporation, the city’s rail giant, has been plagued by service disruptions in recent years, as signalling issues were blamed for multiple glitches. In October last year, an unprecedented breakdown of four MTR lines caused six hours of commuter chaos.

In an interview with reporters last week, Polytechnic University researchers gave details of a project led by the institution, in collaboration with City University, to develop a smart railway system with new technologies.

“There are more than 5 million trips made on MTR trains every day, so safety, punctuality and comfort are important,” project coordinator Ni Yiqing said.

There are more than 5 million trips made on MTR trains every day, so safety, punctuality and comfort are important

Ni Yiqing, project coordinator

The project is one of 30 proposals announced this month to receive funding totalling about HK$193 million from the Research Grants Council’s inaugural Research Impact Fund.

The fund was introduced in 2017 to local universities to conduct more impactful and applicable research projects. A total of 164 proposals were received.