Hong Kong is an advanced and well-connected city in several ways. But its perennial traffic congestion during peak times slows traffic to a pace not a lot faster than a brisk walk. The story below summarizes a public-private collaboration that includes Council Partners Qualcomm and Huawei to make transportation in the region smarter and safer. Other cities would do well to consider adapting Hong Kong's plan because it will not only improve the transportation system but open the door for improvements and enhancements in other areas, like shipping and mobile healthcare. — Doug Peeples
Hong Kong's government is committed to turning the territory into a smart city – and it recognizes the need for a smart transportation network to accomplish that goal.
The Smart Mobility Consortium on Cellular-Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) has been tasked with using C-V2X technologies to transform Hong Kong's roads into not only a more efficient system but also a safer, more driver-friendly one. The consortium includes the Hong Kong Applied Science and Research Institute (ASTRI), the territory's primary telecommunications provider HKT Limited and Council Lead Partner Qualcomm and Associate Partner Huawei.
Working with car makers, the government and others, the consortium will deploy a variety of Intelligent Transport Services (ITS) designed to enable a warning system for collisions, parking and cruise control help for drivers and another that will monitor and keep track of traffic violations. The ITS also will communicate trouble spots like intersections, traffic jams and pedestrian crossing to traffic management officials and drivers. The smart mobility system is expected to make it possible for vehicles to communicate with each other, infrastructure and pedestrians. It also is expected to be a valuable resource for law enforcement, transportation companies and other companies and agencies
Hong Kong's advantage
The territory already has a strong telecommunications network and has been quick to adopt digital technologies. "Hong Kong is a well-connected city with good infrastructure. If we complement these strengths with the latest innovation in science and technology, Hong Kong can become one of the most sophisticated and advanced smart cities in the world," said ASTRI Chairman Wong Ming-yam in an Enterprise Innovation article.
The project will take a number of years, but the anticipated results will be more than a safer, smarter and more efficient transport system. The expectation is the smart mobility network also will help support mobile healthcare, shipping, home delivery, ride-sharing and other services.
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Doug Peeples is a Portland, Oregon-based writer specializing in technology and energy. Follow @smartccouncil on Twitter.
