AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: Hong Kong Airport Traffic Control

Category: TransportationDELCAN CORPORATION

Hong Kong’s new airport at Chek Lap Kok was built almost entirely on reclaimed land off Lantau Island, a site that used to be accessible by ferry only. Now vehicles arrive by road or via bridges and causeways from the surrounding Hong Kong islands. Traffic must be kept moving and flowing safely and efficiently in the busy international airport.

Delcan of Toronto developed and installed an advanced Traffic Control and Surveillance System (TCSS) as a key component in the ground traffic operations.

Since the system was implemented in June 1999, one year after the airport opened, motorists’ travel time and safety has markedly improved.

The TCSS has several elements. First, the Incident Detection and Diversion System monitors the flow of traffic on the roads through the use of both a video system and data from embedded loop detectors to determine the occurrence of an incident or congestion. Operators monitor the roads from a control centre, and then promptly respond to abnormal conditions through procedures such as closing lanes and diverting traffic to alternative service roads. The same subsystem also monitors the status of the TCSS equipment, communication links and the central computer. It has a comprehensive alarm that offers immediate and detailed information on the health of the entire system. All messages are prioritized to illustrate different levels of alarm status.

The Incident Detection and Diversion System is integrated with various other airport systems, including building management and security, the fire alarm system, the time clock, operational database, airport systems maintenance and the main communications networks. This synthesis allows for cost-effective design and cohesive operations.

A closed circuit television camera surveillance system has fixed focus and pan/ tilt/zoom colour cameras. Upon detecting a potential incident, the TCSS prompts the nearest camera to pan so that the incident can be viewed, activates the recording equipment and alerts the operator. The video display wall, composed of 18 monitors, serves as a secondary user interface, supplementing the surveillance system work stations.

Another component is the Taxi Staging Control system. This meters the flow of taxis from the main staging area into available passenger pick-up lanes by controlling traffic signals. Video imaging vehicle detection technology is used to monitor the presence and queuing status of waiting taxis.

The Departure Guidance Dynamic Signage System directs motorists to the entrance doors closest to their airline check-in desks. The signs are located along both the airport access road and at the curbside of the Departures level, and are continually updated in real time from information obtained from the airport operational database to reflect accurately the airlines with upcoming departing flights and the assignment of check-in desks. There is also a Car Park Management System to direct motorists to available car park spaces.

The Cdn. $24 million project represents the first full integration of various airport operations and land-side traffic operation systems.

The subsystems of the TCSS were provided under separate contracts by different suppliers and contractors. Delcan managed the interfacing and integration of the different subsystems into the TCSS for the prime contractor and project manager, G.E.C. (Hong Kong). Delcan also did testing, commissioning and training of the system, and supplied the specific software for the Incident Detection and Diversion System, Taxi Staging Control system. and Car Park Management System.CCE

Project name: Hong Kong Airport Traffic Control & Surveillance System

Owner: Airport Authority of Hong Kong

Award-winning firm: Delcan Corporation, Toronto. Project team leaders: Joseph K. Lam, P.Eng., Rex Lee, Perry Craig, P.Eng., Richard Chylinski

Prime contractor: G.E.C. (Hong Kong)