The Netherlands
Sustainable Transport in Hong Kong
Final report To be printed as notes pages
December 2001
What are Hong Kong’s options for sustainable transport? 1. 2. 3. 4.
Situation Integrated planning Two examples Conclusions
1. Situation • High public transport patronage • High quality of public transport • Public transport operates on ‘prudent commercial principles’ • High cost of private car use • Accessibility and livability under strain • Economic development uncertain
1. Situation
Accessibility issues • • • •
Population is growing Amount of cargo is increasing Efficiency of network is changing Costs of transportation are rising
Inspired by “Sustainable Transport Policies” (ECMT, 1998)
1. Situation
Liveability issues • Safety • Intimidation increasing • Nature reserves appear to be well protected • Noise increasing • Air quality is health threatening • Enforcement divided Inspired by “Sustainable Transport Policies” (ECMT, 1998)
1. Situation
Bottlenecks • Increasing congestion of road network • Decreasing air quality and rising noise levels • Sustainability is under pressure
Increase sustainability on a permanent basis through integrated planning
2. Integrated Planning
Sustainability through an integrated approach • Brundlandt: future generations • Three pillars: ecology, economy and social justice • Needed: long term and balance through an integrated approach at three levels: Substance (integrated planning) Organisation (of cooperation, control of information) Finance (power bases)
2. Integrated Planning
SCHEMA INVOEGEN
SIBOUT? Actie Dick
2. Integrated Planning
Planning Using long-term goals as a framework for short term action. Sustainable planning requires: • Participation • Cooperation • Continuous renewal
2. Integrated Planning
2. Integrated Planning
Organisation • Who should co-operate? • At which organisation level? • Broad dialogues about major issues • Fitting-in infrastructures: integrated Assessment • Monitoring and accounting
2. Integrated Planning
2. Integrated Planning
2. Integrated Planning
Co-operation
Degree of
A transition to an integrated approach
EIA SEA Time and Economic welfare Source : DHV, 1999
2. Integrated Planning
2. Integrated Planning
Finance • The role of the government • Internalisation of external effects • Money is power
2. Integrated Planning
3. Two examples
Two examples • Introducing hub-and-spoke system for buses for feeding rail network • Underground supplying of Hong Kong using metro infrastructure
3a. Hub and spoke system for buses
Hub-and-spoke system summary • Buses feed railways, railways transport majority of passengers • Buses serve locations without railway station + Less buses in congested areas + Higher occupancy ratio for bus and train - Some travellers will experience additional transfers (loss of direct connections)
3a. Hub and spoke system for buses
Current Hong Kong bus network adds to congestion • Bus companies are operated at high quality level • Routes are operated by two or more companies • Many buses on roads: roads congested by buses relatively low occupancy ratios at congested locations
3a. Hub and spoke system for buses
Congestion hampers both liveability and accessibility • Increased noise and exhaust fumes at street level • Reliability will deteriorate, travel times will increase • Expansion of infrastructure is not a real solution
3a. Hub and spoke system for buses
A more sustainable bus network in Hong Kong needed • A mix between the present network and a true hub-and-spoke system • Allow some competition between bus and rail • Allow some competition between bus companies • Relieves some of the pressure on the road network
3a. Hub and spoke system for buses
The new bus network in Hong Kong - in practice • Re-arrange bus franchises • Long term planning to allow smooth transition • Public presentation and consultation to gain a societal acceptance • More demand for transport on mass transit routes
3a. Hub and spoke system for buses
Central Business District • High number of buses from all directions with low occupancy congest the CBD • Main roads (cross-harbour, along HK island coastline) also congested • Congestion has negative impact on surroundings
3a. Hub and spoke system for buses
CBD at present
Red line : bus connection Blue line : mass transit connection
Central District Congested Indicative image
3a. Hub and spoke system for buses
CBD ‘new’ • Traffic flow improved in Cross Harbour Tunnel, Connaught Rd Central, Harcourt Rd and Gloucester Rd • Traffic flow improved in Central Business District • Utilisation of mass transit increased
3a. Hub and spoke system for buses
Another bus network
Present network
Central District Flowing
Indicative image
3a. Hub and spoke system for buses
Integrated planning may make ‘hub and spoke’ feasible • ‘Hub and spoke’ may not be feasible for one or multiple companies • Companies do not experience all the benefits of the investment they make • When reasoning from a Hong Kong society point of view ‘hub and spoke’ may be feasible
3. Two examples
Underground supplying using metro infrastructure - summary • Special cargo trains use mass transit rail for bringing supplies to train stations in congested areas + Less trucks = less congestion on roads to/from congested areas + Less hindrance for pedestrians from trucks - Adjustments of train stations required - Additional handling required - May interfere with maintenance of railtrack at night
3b. Underground supplying using metro
Underground supplying using MTR • Supply of shops, supermarkets and offices mostly by road • Many partly loaded trucks and vans in the city centre • Most parts of rail network are not used during the night • Investigate feasibility of using the metro infrastructure to supply the city
3b. Underground supplying using metro
Example : corridor airport to Kowloon/ Hong Kong island
3b. Underground supplying using metro
Current supply network adds to congestion • Many trucks and vans are only partly loaded • Supply is continued during road peak hours • There is very limited co-ordination of shipments into and from the city
3b. Underground supplying using metro
Use metro network at night to supply • Collect shipments at various railway stations • Send cargo trains to stations in congested areas • Use small vehicles to deliver and pick up near train stations • Already feasibility studies for Amsterdam and Rotterdam, the Netherlands
3b. Underground supplying using metro
Underground distribution at night through metro Perishables
Shop B
Fashion
Mall A
Documents
Office C
Shop D
Railterminal
Airport
HK island
3b. Underground supplying using metro
Integrated planning may make underground supply feasible • When reasoning from a point of business economics, underground supply may not be feasible • When reasoning from an integrated planning point of view, additional benefits may tip the balance
5. Conclusions • Check whether stakeholders recognise the findings sketched in this document • Check whether stakeholders agree that developing Hong Kong society through an integrated approach is a feasible option for sustainability • Take small steps via EIA to SEA towards integrated approach