11/08/2021

Subject: Freedom of Information request - Traffic control for emergency vehicles (Case Ref: 3-6845377760)

Dear Hailong,

Thank you for your email to the Transport Department dated 10/08/2021. Please note that the enquiries and complaints made to the e-mail box "[Transport Department request email]", telephone hotline "2804 2600" and fax hotline "2804 2652" of Transport Department is received by 1823 of the Government.

We have referred your case to the Transport Department. You will be informed of the outcome as soon as possible.

If you have any enquiries, please contact us.

Best regards,
Chris Hung
Customer Service Officer
1823

Tel: 1823
Fax: 2760 1823
Email: [email address]

Service Disclaimer: www.1823.gov.hk/di.shtm
In view of the latest development of the COVID-19 epidemic, 1823 now accords priority to calls related to the epidemic and environmental hygiene issues, and the waiting or processing time for other calls and enquiries and complaints from written channels may be lengthened.

12/08/2021

Subject:Freedom of Information request - Traffic control for emergency vehicles (Case Ref: 3-6845377760)

Dear Hailong,

Please be informed that your case has been acknowledged by the Transport Department. Appropriate follow up action will be taken.

If you have any enquiries, please contact us.

Best regards,
Henry Chan
Assistant Customer Service Supervisor
1823

Tel: 1823
Fax: 2760 1823
Email: [email address]

Service Disclaimer: www.1823.gov.hk/di.shtm
In view of the latest development of the COVID-19 epidemic, 1823 now accords priority to calls related to the epidemic and environmental hygiene issues, and the waiting or processing time for other calls and enquiries and complaints from written channels may be lengthened.

Dear Mr/Ms Hailong,

I refer to your email dated 10.8.2021.  Our reply is as follows -

Question: Could you please provide more details on what methods and
technologies are in use?
The majority of signalized junctions in Hong Kong are under the control of
a central computer, namely Area Traffic Control (ATC) System, which has
provisions of 'green wave' for emergency vehicles, facilitating these
emergency vehicles to reach their destinations in a shorter period of
time.  'Green wave' is effectively the imposition of a series of
progressive vehicular green lights at signalized junctions along a
designated routing.  Green waves are activated (and terminated) via ATC
Systems by the Fire Services Department (FSD) personnel.

Question: For example, how to plan the path (or trajectory) of an
emergency vehicle with the goal of minimizing the time to reach the
destination?
The Transport Department (TD), in collaboration with FSD, have designated
a number of major routes operable with green waves, facilitating fire
engines to exit related fire stations and speed to their destinations.

Question: Is there any method to control the traffic lights when the
vehicle approaches an interaction?
The traffic light in Hong Kong is not controlled by vehicles.

Question: Is there any policy or regulation that normal road users must
follow in cases of emergency?
According to regulation 46 of Road Traffic (Traffic Control) Regulations
(Cap 374G), the driver of a vehicle on a road shall give way and take all
possible action to make way for the passage of any police vehicle, fire
services vehicle or appliance, ambulance or customs and excise service
vehicle which is sounding a bell, siren or gong or displaying a flashing
beacon.

The TD has been working in collaboration with the Road Safety Council
(RSC) and the Police in launching road safety publicity and educational
activities to promote road safety, including to remind drivers to be
considerate to other road users and give way to emergency vehicles through
various means and channels like the RSC’s and the Police’s social media
platforms, the TV and radio announcement in the public interest (API),
publicity video clips, Road Safety Bulletins, transport trades’
newsletters and variable message signs.  The Road Safety Bulletins and
newsletters are available on the TD’s and the RSC’s homepages.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Miss Dorothy Chim
for Commissioner for Transport

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