Can HK$8 million research project by Hong Kong universities on rail systems solve city’s MTR breakdowns?
- PolyU and CityU set to launch study into electromagnetic interference of rail systems
- While not directly linked to MTR issues, findings may crack recent signalling glitches, and contribute to enhancing rail systems worldwide
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.
Was power supply issue to blame for six-hour MTR delay?
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
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.
Ni, a professor in PolyU’s department of civil and environmental engineering, said about HK$6 million of the project cost was funded by the council while PolyU contributed HK$2 million.
One of the key features of the research would centre on the study of the absorption of electromagnetic radiation and interference.
Derek Or Siu-wing, a professor in PolyU’s department of electrical engineering and director of the institution’s Smart Materials and Systems Laboratory, noted that electrical rail systems, as opposed to coal-powered ones previously, mean greater challenges for systems because of exposure to electromagnetic radiation and interference.
“With [overhead cables], train traction motors and motor drives, audiovisual equipment in carriages, as well as commuters’ mobile devices ... all emitting electromagnetic waves, there could be interference in signals, for example,” Or said.
Among the innovations of the project is the study of nano or micro materials and device technologies that can absorb electromagnetic waves from railway electrification systems. These can also protect sensitive or critical devices and systems from electromagnetic interference and damage.
The researchers noted the project was not targeted at MTR’s issues in recent years, but rather to enhance railway services around the world.
The research is set to start in June and will last four years.
Separately, PolyU also shared plans on the opening of two joint laboratories with the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
One will focus on applied mathematics, including research on big data and artificial intelligence, while the other aims to look at environmental pollution in the “Greater Bay Area”.
The bay area scheme involves linking Hong Kong, Macau and nine other mainland cities in Guangdong into an integrated economic hub.
