The driverless autonomous vehicle project on Airport Island officially commenced its fully driverless trials on July 27, marking a milestone in Hong Kong’s autonomous driving development.
Photo source: The Transport Department
For the first time, the trial vehicles operate without onboard backup operators. Instead, remote backup operators monitor and control the vehicles from a remote control centre. The Transport Department said the first day of trials ran largely smoothly, with vehicle performance remaining stable even during rainy conditions.
The department noted that the autonomous vehicles complied with all road safety rules, including sharing roads with other vehicles, yielding to pedestrians, and stopping at traffic signals. The Airport Island trial routes cover a range of road conditions, including roundabouts, junctions requiring right-of-way decisions, and varying traffic flows at different times of the day, helping to gather comprehensive data in preparation for scaled-up and commercial operations.
The Transport Department emphasised that safety remains the foremost consideration. The Code of Practice for Trial and Pilot Use of Autonomous Vehicles references both national and international safety standards. Operators have put in place comprehensive safety management and contingency plans covering vehicle safety, driving safety, road safety and cybersecurity, with proactive and ongoing risk identification and prevention measures.
The department also pointed out that operators are required to maintain valid third-party risk insurance for each autonomous vehicle, and all vehicles must be equipped with electronic data recorders to assist with investigations if needed.
Photo source: The Transport Department
To help other drivers and pedestrians easily identify driverless autonomous vehicles, the vehicles must display a Transport Department‑designated label, along with an additional purple label indicating that it is undergoing driverless testing.
The trial marks an important step in implementing the policy objectives of autonomous driving set out in the Policy Address and the Transport Strategy Blueprint. The Transport Department said it will closely monitor and conduct on‑site inspections of the remote‑controlled trials to ensure they meet all safety, stability and operational smoothness requirements.
Opening ceremony of Ap Lei Chau Market Cooked Food Centre held today
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (July 28) held the opening ceremony of the Ap Lei Chau Market Cooked Food Centre, marking the official reopening and full resumption of operation of the cooked food centre after enhancements.
Officiating at the opening ceremony, the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Mr Albert Yuen, said that the stall enhancement works of the Ap Lei Chau Market Cooked Food Centre is a project under the Market Modernisation Programme to enhance the facilities and operating environment of the cooked food centre, thereby providing patrons with a more pleasant dining environment. He added that public-market policy needs to keep pace with the times and meet the needs of the community. The way forward for the Market Modernisation Programme focuses on stall enhancement works, whereas upgrading hardware in a more cost-effective manner is one of the key directions.
After the opening ceremony, Mr Yuen and other officiating and attending guests toured the cooked food centre, and talked to stall tenants to learn about the operating conditions of the enhanced cooked food centre. The stall tenants expected that the enhanced facilities and environment of the cooked food centre can enhance the comfort of diners and drive business growth.
The stall enhancement project of the Ap Lei Chau Market Cooked Food Centre commenced last August. With the endeavours of the FEHD and the Architectural Services Department, the cooked food centre resumed full operation at the end of June upon completion of the works. Featuring six cooked food stalls and providing more than 180 seats for the public, the dining area and stall portals of the cooked food centre have been beautified. The ceiling and floor tiles have been replaced and the dining furniture has also been reconfigured to create a bright, clean and unified style. In addition, electronic display panels have been installed, and fixed dining tables and mobile seats have been reconfigured to better meet the needs of diners. As for the design, district characteristics of Aberdeen have been integrated, with a feature wall inspired by the ocean and waves installed at the dining area, and fishing vessel-modelled decorations featured on both sides of the escalators. Moreover, the electrical and mechanical equipment and building services installations of the cooked food centre have been renewed, the restrooms have been renovated and the main entrances of the market building have also been beautified to offer members of the public a new upgraded experience when visiting the Ap Lei Chau Market Cooked Food Centre.
Other officiating guests at the opening ceremonyincluded the Chairman of the Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene of the Legislative Council, Ms Chan Hoi-yan; the Deputy Chairman of the Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene of the Legislative Council, Mr Yang Wing-kit; and Legislative Council Members Ms Judy Chan, Mr Chan Hok-fung and Mr Jonathan Leung. They were joined by other attending guests including Southern District Council members and representatives from government departments.
The FEHD will continue to advance other market development projects to keep public markets abreast with the times to meet public needs.
Opening ceremony of Ap Lei Chau Market Cooked Food Centre held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Opening ceremony of Ap Lei Chau Market Cooked Food Centre held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Opening ceremony of Ap Lei Chau Market Cooked Food Centre held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
