Hong Kong transport authorities plan to replace 13,000 electronic audible traffic signals across the city with new models featuring functions for the visually-impaired by the end of 2027.
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The Transport Department said on Tuesday that the renewal of pedestrian traffic lights, which began in April this year, would be implemented in phases across 2,000 junctions, costing HK$98 million (US$12.5 million).
“The existing electronic audible traffic signals have been used for over 20 years, exceeding their normal lifespan. We have noticed that problems are rising and causing higher maintenance costs,” said Gordon Kwok Ka Chun, chief engineer and traffic control of the department.
“So we would like to replace the ageing signals and at the same time include some new functions which are more applicable to the users.”
The existing devices have two functions: an audible sound that signals the crossing status and a tactile button underneath that vibrates to communicate the crossing status.
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