In Hong Kong, EMSD is the statutory regulatory authority on railway safety. EMSD regulates and oversees the safe operation of four railway systems, namely, railway networks operated by MTR Corporate Limited (MTRCL), Hong Kong Tramways, the Peak Tram, and the Automated People Mover at the airport. Each system is governed by a different ordinance and the associated regulations. Details of ordinance and regulations can be found below:

The major works of Railways Branch of EMSD generally include, but limitation to, the following:

(1) Safety Compliance Inspections

Safety Compliance InspectionsIn line with international practices, EMSD conducts "risk-based inspections" in monitoring railway safety, so that closer attention would be given to areas that might pose higher risk to the safety of railway operation based on track record. Safety inspections are also arranged accordingly. Besides, EMSD monitors, through inspections and assessments, the robustness of MTRCL in its internal systems and management practices to ensure that the MTRCL adheres to best international safety practices and standards. Furthermore, EMSD regularly inspects all safety-critical areas of the MTR system to ensure railway safety. For railway projects, EMSD carries out safety tests and inspections to ensure safety requirements have been met prior to confirming that the new railways are safe for operation.

The numbers of inspections carried out by EMSD are as follows:
InspectionNumbers
201720182019202020212022 (Up to 31 July)
262 348 350 408 418 283

(2) Assessment of Railway Projects

To ensure that the MTRCL provides safe and reliable railway services, the Government has established the "Safety & Security Coordinating Committee" (SSCC) and "Trackside Safety & Security Committee" (TSSC) to assess new railway projects, existing operating stations and major modifications of the existing railway systems. The assessment process of SSCC and TSSC is mainly coordinated by EMSD to evaluate the related projects and facilities. EMSD, as a railway inspector, would certify the "safe and sound" assessment of new railways, extensions, and major modifications before its use and commencement of service.

To further ensure that the quality of the safety-critical civil infrastructure and E&M installations are safeguarded in various railway project stages (i.e. design, construction, testing and commissioning stages), EMSD has put a Project Safety Review (PSR) process in place on a trial basis to exercise tight control over the whole railway project life cycle.

Details of PSR are referred to the following link:

Project Safety Review

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To enhance the long-term railway safety of railway projects, a Project Safety Review (PSR) process has been put in place by the EMSD on a trial basis to exercise tight control over the whole railway project life cycle since November 2020. The PSR process provides a structured assessment of the safety aspects of railway projects from the very beginning of the project life cycle, covering the critical railway systems, including permanent way, rolling stock, power distribution system, signaling system and building services installations. The PSR process involves vetting of the long-term railway safety related items specified in the project safety submissions, conducting of project safety audits on individual railway safety critical systems, review of the conceptual design and design drawings, assurance of safety critical tests be conducted against specifications and international standards, review of hazard logs identified in various project stages and the associated risk assessment reports, attending the railway safety related tests which could not be repeated when the system is commissioned, etc. so as to ensure that the critical safety-related records are in place and long-term operational safety issues are safeguarded.

(3) Comprehensive and Direct Assessment

In the light of the expanding railway network, replacement of earlier-built equipment, and the possible impacts of railway incidents, EMSD has stepped up its regulatory control over the entire railway network by introducing the Comprehensive and Direct Assessment ("C&DA"), C&DA includes assessment and audit on the Asset Management System (AMS) and the Safety Management System (SMS) of the Corporation for major railway systems, , covering signaling system, power distribution system, permanent way, rolling stocks and building services system of entire railway network.

(4) Incident Investigation

In the case of railway incidents, EMSD will, where necessary, look into the cause, identify appropriate improvement measures for MTRCL’s follow-up action, and ensure that the MTRCL will duly implement these measures to prevent recurrence.

The numbers of investigations carried out by EMSD are as follows:

InvestigationNumbers
201720182019202020212022 (Up to 31 July)
Rolling Stock 33 14 24 13 22 22
Signaling / Telecommunication System 18 23 13 16 10 5
Power Distribution System 11 14 7 7 11 3
Permanent Way 11 11 10 16 7 6
Others 48 48 59 57 67 38
Total 121 110 113 109 117 74

Major Incident

(5) Application of Innovation and Technology

The expansion and increasing patronage of the railway network bring about safety challenges, more so with the railway facilities reaching their replacement ages. EMSD, a regulator and a staunch promoter of innovation and technology ("I&T"), has been collaborating with the MTRCL, academics and the industry in exploring the use of I&T solutions to enhance railway safety and reliability. The following innovation and technology projects have been rolled out for railways applications:

(6) Highlights of Railway Branch's Works

(7) Regional and International Collaboration

In order to ensure a safe and smooth railway transportation between the Mainland and Hong Kong, EMSD implements two agreements with the National Railway Administration (NRA) on management of drivers’ qualifications and safety supervision respectively. Through regular meetings, trainings and joint inspections, EMSD maintains a close working relationship with the NRA to safeguard the operational safety of cross-boundary railway services.

EMSD has been a Core Group member of the International Railway Safety Council (IRSC) since 2010, which aims to provide an international forum for in-depth exchange of experience and lessons for improving railway safety, contributing to on-going improvement of international railway safety and performance. EMSD jointly organised the 27th Annual Conference of IRSC in Hong Kong in 2017, with more than 300 attendees from 40 countries/regions who belong to the government sector and the railway industry.

EMSD jointly organised the 27th Annual Conference of IRSC in Hong Kong in 2017

EMSD jointly organised the 27th Annual Conference of IRSC in Hong Kong in 2017

Activities

Annual Conference of IRSC