As New York shows, open data is the key to smart traffic solutions

Winnie Tang says Hong Kong can learn from the New York experience in addressing privacy and data security concerns, to build trust between the local government and its people as smart cities move towards open public data

Traffic flows through Hong Kong. A comprehensive picture of the traffic situation in any city is only possible with open access to public data and sharing among private and public organisations. Photo: Reuters
In the era of smart cities, improvements are often heavily data driven. That is why data collection and sharing is the key to solving traffic congestion in the Hong Kong government’s smart city blueprint.
Today, while some mobile apps update users with real-time traffic information, it is limited to submissions by subscribers. It is only possible to have a comprehensive picture of the traffic situation with open access to public data and sharing among private and public organisations.
Print option is available for subscribers only.
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Copyright © 2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.