The new generation of on-street parking meter system was rolled out officially in January 2021. Serving as a technical advisor to the Transport Department for the project, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) actively leveraged its role as a facilitator of innovation and technology development to accomplish the novel endeavour. The EMSD has closely followed up on various aspects of the development work, such as market research, technical support, project co-ordination and monitoring, providing more convenient parking facilities for motorists and developing the blueprint of “Smart Mobility” for Hong Kong in collaboration with the client.
The installation of new smart parking meters was one of the key initiatives in achieving “Smart Mobility”. Over the years, the EMSD team, together with the clients, conducted on-site visits to the Mainland of China, the United States as well as Singapore, and explored various solutions. We provided technical advice to the clients throughout the project stage, from formulation of the technical requirements, tendering, design to installation and commissioning. In regard of the project design and work processes, the EMSD took into consideration the clients’ long-term benefits. For instance, co-operation in the mode of “management, operation and maintenance contract” was recommended to the client to ensure that the successful tenderer would have incentive to use more durable technologies and components, and thereby reducing the frequency and cost of maintenance in the long run.
The new parking meters accept payment of parking fees by multiple means, including Octopus, contactless credit cards, Faster Payment System (FPS) and QR code. The system also supports the newly developed mobile app HKeMeter, which allows motorists to pay parking fees on-site and extend their parking time by remote payment. Against this background, the EMSD made meticulous efforts in co-ordinating technical exchanges between the parking meter system vendor and payment service providers during the development process. As each payment option has its own technical, security and testing requirements, the project team kept a close eye on the progress of each requirement being met and flexibly arranged preliminary testing for the payment options that were ready for operation, so as to identify and resolve technical problems as early as possible.
The new meters are also equipped with occupancy sensors making use of the technology of millimeter wave radar to detect whether parking spaces are occupied. The project team set up various parking scenarios, including flat roads, slopes, private car parking spaces, goods vehicle parking spaces and spaces occupied by other objects. Vehicles of different sizes, colours and models were also used to simulate realistic situations in more than 1000 on-site parking tests performed during daytime and night-time. With the development of the sophisticated sensors, real-time parking space information could be disseminated to motorists through HKeMeter and DATA.GOV.HK to assist them in finding vacant parking spaces.
In striking a balance between bringing convenience in paying parking fees and preventing prolonged occupation of parking spaces, the project team took into consideration the actual usage of the smart parking meters when designing the remote payment function of HKeMeter, and decided to use a QR code to bundle the motorist’s mobile app and the parking meter within a specified time period during which remote payment will only be accepted for a maximum of two consecutive sessions of the “longest parking period”.
The new parking meters made their debut at Yiu Sing Street in Central, Man Chat Road in Tuen Mun and Clear Water Bay in Sai Kung on 20 January 2021.
The sale of New Year flowers were held as scheduled in 2021 under the epidemic. To avoid gathering of the crowd and reduce the risk of virus transmission, the EMSD designed and deployed a footfall monitoring, queuing and ticketing system for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and completed the arrangements at 15 flower sale points promptly, by making good use of the technology. The system enabled members of the public to visit flower sale points to enjoy the festive vibes while observing social distancing.
Early in the year, the epidemic situation was fluctuating. As soon as the Government decided to open the flower sale points, we had to race against time and immediately set up various E&M systems at the 15 flower sale points across the territory within only two weeks. Apart from making on-site arrangements for temporary electricity supply and lighting, the EMSD also deployed different teams to install the cloud-based central footfall monitoring system, together with the sensors, ticketing systems and display screens, at 15 flower sale points, to enable our client department to control the crowd by monitoring the number of visitors and making arrangements for visitors to queue up for tickets.
The EMSD has extensive experience in setting up indoor footfall systems. However, given the uncertain factors like outdoor weather conditions and the potential reverse flow of visitors walking at the outdoor venues, three sets of infrared sensors were set up at every entrance and exit of each flower sale point for counting footfall to provide multiple assurance. After computation by the cloud-based systems, the footfall data collected were shown on the display screens, and the green, amber and red indicator lights for entrance were on correspondingly on site. Also, the Government-wide Internet of Things Network (GWIN) gateways, which were set up at all sale points, rapidly addressed the need of the footfall monitoring systems for network connection, and facilitated the receipt of data from the infrared sensors for footfall monitoring and the dissemination of signals for controlling the green, amber and red indicator lights and screen display. A mobile gateway was also installed at each sale point to enhance network reliability.
In the flower sale points, we also had to respond quickly to unexpected circumstances. The weather once deteriorated during the time when the flower sales were held. Water-filled barriers installed with sensors were blown down by the strong wind. Our on-site colleagues immediately arranged for re-instating and testing of the sensors to ensure normal operation of the footfall monitoring system.
While our frontliners were racing against time, our support teammates stood fast on their posts at the Central Control and Command Centre established at the EMSD Headquarters, where our senior engineers worked on shifts to monitor and co-ordinate the situation of all sale points. With this two-pronged approach, the flower sales were successfully held as scheduled, extending warm wishes to members of the public during the Lunar New Year.
The valuable experience gained from the event lays a foundation for future crowd control and monitoring at similar large-scale events.
For any enquiry on crowd control solutions, please contact Mr. Chan Hor-yin, Steve, our Senior Engineer, on 2808 3593.
As a long-term partner of the Drainage Services Department (DSD), the EMSD has always been dedicated to providing the DSD with quality E&M services and innovation and technology (I&T) solutions. In the past year, we applied an I&T solution flexibly in collaboration with the DSD to provide brand-new experience for visitors of the DSD’s largest sewage treatment works and facilitate its internal staff training.
For more than 20 years, the Stonecutters Island Sewage Treatment Works (SCISTW) has been handling domestic sewage generated on both sides of the harbour at a daily capacity of up to 2.4 million cubic meters. It is currently one of the largest sewage treatment works of its type in the world. To introduce sewage treatment to the public, an information centre was established at the SCISTW. However, onsite visits were inevitably bounded by the nature of sewage treatment process, the environment of the sewage treatment works, as well as the requirements stipulated in the Occupational, Safety and Health Ordinance. In view of the above, we have arranged several meetings with the client and conducted onsite visits, so as to gain a clear understanding of the existing facilities and the client’s expectations on enhancing visitors’ experience in the future. Upon meticulous deliberation, we proposed the Cave Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE) system to the DSD to enable a 360-degree virtual visiting experience of the sewage treatment process for the SCISTW’s visitors.
To create an all-direction and three-dimensional virtual experience, our colleagues recorded the SCISTW with full dedication, covering every corner of the facilities. In addition to using drones to take bird’s-eye views of the facilities from the sky, we dived into areas inaccessible to visitors, such as the bottom of the sedimentation tanks. The virtual system overcomes physical limitations and provide visitors with an omniscient view into this world-class infrastructure. In spite of the COVID-19 epidemic that challenged our team at the final stage of the works, we continued to work closely with the client day and night to press ahead with the installation and testing works. Thanks to the concerted efforts of the involved parties, we were able to launch the system in time eventually. Apart from promoting public education, the CAVE system can also be used for internal safety training of the DSD’s staff, as its virtual reality environment ensures occupational safety while keeping interruption to the facilities’ daily operation to a minimum.
“The EMSD has always provided us with innovative ideas. They have been working diligently to sort out the most suitable solution to enhance our efficiency and performance in all respects,” said Miss Chan Wing-yan, Yanto, Engineer of the DSD. Appreciation of the clients always brings us motivation. Committed to communicating and collaborating with our clients, we make use of our I&T specialty, put ourselves in their shoes and strive to ensure that their needs are fully met. Going forward, we will continue to join hands with our clients to serve the community with all our hearts.
The EMSD introduced two anti-epidemic I&T solutions, including the built-in disinfection device for escalator handrails and the disinfection robot, to the Central Government Offices, and service has commenced since January 2021. The escalator disinfection device applies the ultraviolet light technology to sterilise the handrails. The built-in disinfection device entails more complicated installation procedures, as compared with its more commonly used external counterparts. Nevertheless, its built-in design prevents the scenarios of escalator users touching the device by accident, and resulting in injury or damage to the device. The other new I&T solution, the disinfection robot, mainly serves the common areas such as lobbies and conference rooms. Apart from the floor-sweeping function, it is also equipped with an additional component to automatically spray a disinfectant agent developed by a local university. The robot could help sterilise large indoor areas, and thereby saving cleaning manpower.
The Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Tunnel (TM-CLKT), the longest underwater tunnel in Hong Kong, was opened to traffic on 27 December 2020, allowing motorists to travel between the Northwest New Territories and Northern Lantau more conveniently and efficiently. More than two years ago, the EMSD had proactively assisted the Transport Department (TD) in the preparatory work, and since early 2020, we had worked more closely with various stakeholders, by taking part in inter-departmental conferences, discussion on the commissioning arrangements, and formulation of contingency plans, as well as offering professional and technical support for the commissioning of the tunnel. The EMSD conducted technical assessments on various electrical and mechanical (E&M) equipment and systems of the TM-CLKT three months before the tunnel was put into service. A final check was also carried out in the final week to ensure proper functioning of the E&M facilities and thereby a smooth commissioning.
In addition, to tie in with the implementation of a toll waiver for the Lantau Link on the same day of the commissioning of the TM-CLKT, the EMSD had assisted the TD in monitoring the related E&M systems and toll equipment since late 2019. The EMSD had also conducted technical assessments on the systems subject to adjustment, and offered professional and technical support to ensure a smooth transition on the material day. On the eve of the commissioning of the TM-CLKT, the EMSD oversaw the technical adjustments of the toll waiver system of the Lantau Link and the preparatory work for the commissioning of the TM-CLKT simultaneously, ensuring the concurrent and punctual delivery of both projects.
With the close collaboration between the client department, tunnel operators, various stakeholders and the EMSD team, both the commissioning of the TM-CLKT and the Lantau Link toll waiver were accomplished as planned. In the future, we will continue to offer professional and technical support to our clients, with a view to enabling their provision of safe and reliable transportation services for the public.
The EMSD has been working closely and collaborating with the academia and the trade to keep abreast of the latest trends of I&T. On 27 and 28 November 2020, the Biomedical Division of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) organised the Biomedical Engineering Conference BME 2020. As the co-organiser of the event, the EMSD played an active role in the preparation work including inviting speakers and formulating the conference agenda. To ensure smooth running of the event, the EMSD also provided technical support throughout the conference.
With the theme of “Fighting COVID-19 and Future Pandemics with Innovation & Technology”, the two-day conference was held via video conferencing, covering various major areas in I&T, such as artificial intelligence and robotics, development and management of medical devices, disinfection solutions and personal protection equipment, etc. Over 30 local and overseas experts shared their professional insights on the most cutting-edge research achievements and applications, including “Blockchain Immunity Passport”, “Wearable Device Supporting Smart Social Distancing”, “Development and Management of Medical Devices in Clinical Setting”, etc. Thanks to the enthusiastic participation of all stakeholders, the conference was a great success. Professor So Hau-yue, Richard and the Deputy Director/Regulatory Services of the EMSD, Mr. Poon Kwok-ying, Raymond, served as the Co-General Chairs of the conference. The event was also graced by the presence of Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr. Sit Wing-hang, Alfred, and President of the HKIE, Professor Yuen Pak-leung, both of whom delivered opening remarks at the conference. More than 300 participants attended the virtual event, which enabled cross-border participation, facilitated exchange of ideas among experts from around the world on the long-term anti-epidemic solutions, and promoted professional networking among trade practitioners.
The BME 2020 Programme Book is now available at https://bme2020hkie.wixsite.com/bme2020. Please visit the website for more information about anti-epidemic technologies.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Trading Fund (EMSTF). To commemorate the EMSTF’s silver jubilee, we will organise a series of magnificent celebrative events and set up an anniversary website to showcase our highlights and milestones over the years, giving members of the public an opportunity to review our efforts and achievements in multifarious way. “Co-innovate and Co-create Our Future”, the 25th anniversary theme, signifies that the EMSTF will grow from strength to strength and continue to connect with our clients, members of the trade, co-workers and other stakeholders in achieving collaboration and co-innovation, passing on legacies and co-creating the future. Looking forward, we will be committed as ever and strive for improvement, serving the public hand-in-hand. Stay tuned for details of the celebrative events of the silver jubilee by visiting our anniversary website which will be available soon.
The EMSD is currently responsible for the maintenance of over 40 000 pieces of medical equipment in the public hospitals in Hong Kong. In late 2019, the EMSD conducted a comprehensive review on the maintenance management system for medical devices. Focusing on the safety and performance of medical devices, we put forth further improvements on the aspects of risk management, contractor monitoring, traceability of procedural documents and records, the medical incident reporting mechanism, etc. In addition, with enhanced analysis of maintenance data (e.g. causes of faults, their trends, etc.), the EMSD had a more solid grasp of the operation of the devices and the ways to conduct targeted maintenance correspondingly, thereby enhancing their reliability and maintainability.
The enhanced quality management system was launched in August 2020 and successfully obtained the certification of ISO 13485 Medical Devices - Quality Management System early this year. Among the third-party maintenance service providers of multi-brand medical devices in Hong Kong, the EMSD is one of the few having such certification. The certification not only testifies that our quality services reach internationally recognised standards, but also acknowledges the EMSD’s commitment to our clients on continuous improvement and provision of safer and more reliable medical engineering services.
We are Witty Bear and KnowBot. Being the ambassadors of the EMSD, we will assist in future promotional campaigns by delivering a wide range of information on E&M safety, energy efficiency, and innovation and technology to the public in a lively and interesting manner. We hope to strengthen the EMSD’s connection with the public in daily life and further facilitate the Department’s collaboration with clients and trade partners.
We will soon hit the social media platforms and public events, and meet with clients on different occasions. Please stay tuned and support us!
Visit https://www.emsd.gov.hk/m/en/emsd_mascot/ to meet Witty Bear and KnowBot.