Editorial | New standards will drive safer railway development in Hong Kong
The latest rule book is expected to improve speed and efficiency in the execution of railway projects, reducing construction times and costs
Issued by the Highways Department, the 336-page document outlined a unified and comprehensive set of technical references and guidelines for railway design, construction, operations and maintenance. Along with the establishment of a dedicated inspection unit to accelerate the implementation of new projects, the revamp has opened up new horizons for better development.
The new regime is based on existing railway standards, relevant standards from mainland China, and international benchmarks such as those set by European Standards, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the International Electrotechnical Commission and the International Organization for Standardization, with adaptations made to suit local circumstances. It enables Hong Kong to move away from legacy standards which might have prevented the city from tapping new skills, materials and systems. “This move helps to leverage and introduce the extensive experience and world-leading technologies in railway construction of our nation, as well as the recognised standards in other parts of the world, with a view to driving new railway projects in Hong Kong with enhanced speed and efficiency, and striving for shorter construction times and lower costs,” Director of Highways Tony Yau Kwok-ting said.
The revamp is especially timely in the wake of the city’s ambitious plan to enhance connectivity and integration with the Greater Bay Area. The two cross-border projects under way, the Northern Link and the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link, can expect synergies from the new standards.