For discussion FCR(95-96)135
on 8 March 1996
ITEM FOR FINANCE COMMITTEE
CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND
HEAD 708 - CAPITAL SUBVENTIONS AND MAJOR SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT
Transport Department
Subhead 8018ZN Replacement of traffic control and surveillance system in the Airport Tunnel
Members are invited to approve a commitment of $88.3 million for replacing the traffic control and surveillance system in the Airport Tunnel.
The traffic control and surveillance system in the Airport Tunnel is reaching the end of its useful life. We encounter increasing difficulties in obtaining spare parts for the system.
2. We propose to replace the traffic control and surveillance system in the Airport Tunnel at an estimated cost of $88.3 million.
3. The traffic control and surveillance system in the Airport Tunnel , now requires repair due to ageing. A working group comprising representatives of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), Transport Department and the tunnel management contractor has assessed the current state of the system and has found that most components of the system are reaching the end of their serviceable life. In view of the increasing difficulties in obtaining spare parts, the safety implications in the event of breakdown, and the long lead time of some 36 months required for replacement works, the working group recommends early replacement of the obsolescent system. . Delays in replacement could result in serious system failures when more and more components become defective and irreplaceable. This will impair tunnel traffic control and may jeopardise the safety of tunnel users.
4. As part of the replacement project, we propose to install some additional electronic traffic information signs at tunnel approaches to strengthen traffic management and to enhance road safety during single tube operation and tunnel closure. We also propose to install new monitors for more effective monitoring and control of air quality in the tunnel.
5. EMSD will undertake the whole project on behalf of Transport Department as it mainly involves electronic, electrical and mechanical equipment and their installation.
6. We estimate the total non-recurrent expenditure to be $88.3 million, made up as follows -
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$ million
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(a)
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Electrical and mechanical equipment and installation
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68.6
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(i) computer hardware and software
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12.0
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(ii) data communication system
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7.8
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(iii) closed-circuit television system
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8.8
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(iv) automatic incident detectors
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3.0
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(v) vehicle height detectors
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1.0
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(vi) electronic traffic information signs
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10.8
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(vii) uninterruptable power supply system
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0.8
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(viii) cables and accessories
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4.9
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(ix) decommissioning of existing equipment
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1.2
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(x) fixed traffic signs and signals
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4.4
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(xi) pavement inset lights
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2.3
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(xii) tunnel environmental monitors and recorders, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and turbidity detectors
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5.6
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(xiii) testing (factory and site acceptance tests), training and documentation
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2.0
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(xiv) spare parts
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4.0
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(b)
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Related equipment and installation
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11.7
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(i) cable ducts
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3.5
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(ii) mountings for gantry signs
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4.8
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(iii) mountings for roadside signs and signals
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2.0
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(iv) minor civil and building services works, and contract preliminaries
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1.4
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(c)
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Contingencies (10% of [(a) + (b)])
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8.0
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Total
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88.3
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7. Subject to approval, we will phase expenditure as follows -
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$ million
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1996-1997
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2.0
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1997-1998
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27.0
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1998-1999
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26.0
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1999-2000
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29.0
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2000-2001
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4.3
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Total
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88.3
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8. There will be no additional recurrent expenditure as the operation and maintenance cost of the traffic control and surveillance system has been included in the existing operation and management contract for the Airport Tunnel.
9. The traffic control and surveillance system in the Airport Tunnel was installed in 1981. It controls and monitors all aspects of traffic and surveillance facilities in the tunnel, such as traffic lights, variable warning and advisory signs, barriers and vehicle incident detectors. With the aid of closed circuit television cameras, the operators in the control centre can respond to incidents immediately and make changes to the traffic plans and signal controls to suit site conditions.
Transport Branch
February 1996
Last Updated on 2 December 1998
