92 Smart Traffic Fund Projects Approved as Hong Kong Tramways Tests RFID Monitoring System
The Smart Traffic Fund has approved 92 projects to date, including a radio frequency identification-based tram monitoring system developed by Hong Kong Tramways and crane over-height monitors created by the Centre of Advanced Power and Autonomous Systems, the HKSAR Government said.
The fund, administered by the Transport Department, supports research and technology applications aimed at improving commuting convenience and driving safety across the city. The latest figures mark continued growth in the fund's portfolio since its establishment to accelerate adoption of innovative transport technologies.
The RFID-based tram monitoring system allows Hong Kong Tramways to track tram movements and operational status in real time, transmitting data including location, speed, and adherence to scheduled timings. The system enables operators to make faster service adjustments when disruptions occur, helping improve reliability along the city's historic tram routes. Hong Kong Tramways operates approximately 170 double-decker trams along six routes covering the northern shore of Hong Kong Island, making it one of the few cities worldwide still running a full-service double-decker tram fleet.
The crane over-height monitor, developed at the Centre of Advanced Power and Autonomous Systems, is designed to detect when vehicles exceed permitted height limits on roadways. Bridge strikes by over-height vehicles have been a recurring safety issue on Hong Kong's urban road network, with dozens of incidents recorded annually that cause traffic disruptions, structural inspections, and sometimes road closures. The technology aims to alert drivers well before they approach low-clearance structures, giving them time to find an alternative route.
Beyond these two projects, the approved initiatives cover traffic data analytics, automated incident detection, pedestrian safety systems, and intelligent traffic signal control. The fund provides grants to local organisations, research institutions, and technology developers working on solutions that address traffic congestion, improve road safety, and enhance public transport efficiency.
The HKSAR Government has positioned smart mobility as a key component of its Smart City Blueprint. The Transport Department oversees the fund's administration, project evaluation, and coordination of pilot deployments. Successful pilot projects may generate operational data and insights that inform wider transport planning decisions across Hong Kong's road network.
The Smart Traffic Fund covers a portion of development and pilot implementation costs for each approved initiative, with the goal of demonstrating practical benefits before wider commercial deployment. The HKSAR Government continues to invite applications for new projects that align with its smart mobility objectives.
A feature story covering the tram monitoring system and crane over-height monitor projects was published on news.gov.hk on June 14 in text and video format.
