Smart Traffic Fund drives safer trips

June 14, 2026

Accurate tracking:

A tram equipped with a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader (circled in red) passes an RFID tag (indicated by red arrow), enabling the Smart Ding Ding System to accurately capture its real-time location.

Speed monitoring:

Specific RFID tags have been installed at 20 sharp curves. Before entering these bends, an in-cab display alerts the driver to ensure the tram remains within the safe limit of 8km per hour.

Flexible dispatching:

Hong Kong Tramways Assistant Manager (Technical Support) Chan Tsz-to says that precise location data allows control room staff to flexibly adjust services based on real-time conditions and provide passengers with estimated arrival times for the next three trams.

Compliance assurance :

The Crane Position Monitoring System utilises a crane-mounted sensor to monitor height and angle.

Driver alerts:

If the system detects the vehicle moving while the crane is not fully retracted, audio and visual alarms are triggered in the cab, prompting the driver to take immediate action.

Trusted precision:

Centre of Advanced Power & Autonomous Systems former Chief Executive Officer Lawrence Cheung emphasises the importance of reliability, noting that the system is designed to prevent false alarms so that drivers can trust the warnings.

Download Video| Transcript

Voiceover:

For over 120 years, Hong Kong’s iconic trams have shaped the city’s urban landscape. Now, this historic transport network is embracing the future. Hong Kong Tramways has spent more than a year developing the Smart Ding Ding System. Utilising radio frequency identification, or RFID, technology, the system tracks real-time locations and monitors tram speeds at curves. The upgrade aims to enhance operational efficiency, boost passenger safety and elevate the journey experience.

Hong Kong Tramways Assistant Manager (Technical Support) Chan Tsz-to:

On each tram, we have (installed) an RFID reader on the roof. Also, we have installed the RFID tags at (about) 400 different locations among the tram's network on the span wires among the main wires. When the tram passes through the RFID tags, it will detect its actual location in real time. 

For the inspectors, they can perform dispatch more efficiently by knowing the estimated arrival time at the terminus to know whether the delays would be caused by the trips or (if) there would be any diversion needed. In our control room, our colleagues can also monitor the tram sequence and the service gaps in different parts of our tram network. In case of major disruptions and traffic accidents, our control room staff can immediately contact our tram drivers to notify them for any kind of emergency manoeuvres and also measures to minimise the effects on all the passengers.

Before introducing this system, we relied very much on our tram information system using the tram track switches. To detect the tram location, we need to get past the tram switches at different parts of our tracks.

Voiceover:

By combining real-time tracking with historical operational data, the company can now display estimated arrival times for the next three trams on its mobile app, allowing passengers to plan their journeys with ease. The system also features automated speed monitoring. With special RFID tags installed at all 20 L-shaped curves across the network, it provides real-time alerts to drivers, ensuring speeds remain within the safe limit of 8km per hour when entering a bend.

Hong Kong Tramways Assistant Manager (Technical Support) Chan Tsz-to:

Before the tram passes through the curve, the tram's speed will be detected by the system. So if the tram's perceived speed is higher than the speed limit, then there will be an alarm emitted by the system to alert the drivers to slow down before (entering) the curve.

Voiceover:

Road safety remains a top priority. In response to past incidents where lorry-mounted cranes struck bridges or road infrastructure, the Government implemented mandatory regulations in March 2025. Under the new rules, vehicles equipped with extendable aerial structures must be fitted with over-height warning systems. The requirement is being introduced in phases to give operators time to comply and upgrade their fleets.

Centre of Advanced Power & Autonomous Systems Former Chief Executive Officer Lawrence Cheung

Our project team actually took more than about a year and a half to do the research and development. We need to make sure that the sensor is easy to install because there are a lot of different kinds of cranes on different crane lorries, so we need to make sure that what we hope to develop would be applicable for all different kinds of cranes in different situations.

Voiceover:

The system operates via a sensor mounted on the crane that continuously monitors its height and angle. This data is cross-referenced with global positioning system, or GPS, tracking to determine if the vehicle is in motion. If the system detects the vehicle is moving while the crane is not fully retracted, a warning light flashes and an audio alarm sounds in the cab, alerting the driver to take immediate corrective action. 

Centre of Advanced Power & Autonomous Systems Former Chief Executive Officer Lawrence Cheung

We have the GPS information as well to make sure that only when the lorry is in motion we would give out an alarm if the crane is not in the resting position. The key thing is that we would not give a false alarm.

Voiceover:

Both the Smart Ding Ding System and the Crane Position Monitoring System are funded by the Government’s Smart Traffic Fund. Established in 2021 with a $1 billion allocation, the fund has so far approved 92 projects, totaling about $638 million in subsidies. These projects cover road safety, driving behaviour, traffic forecasting, parking, vehicle safety devices and autonomous driving technology, all aimed at enhancing commuting convenience, maximising network efficiency and improving driving safety.

Facing high population density and rising transport demand, the Government established the $1 billion Smart Traffic Fund to encourage research and development and drive innovations that enhance commuting convenience, maximise network efficiency and improve driving safety.

A prime example is the Smart Ding Ding System, developed by Hong Kong Tramways over a period of more than a year with fund backing. The system utilises radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to boost operational efficiency and safety.

Real-time precision

"On each tram, we have installed an RFID reader on the roof," explained Hong Kong Tramways Assistant Manager (Technical Support) Chan Tsz-to. "We have also installed RFID tags at about 400 different locations across our network on the span wires. When a tram passes these tags, the system detects its actual location in real time."

Before this system was installed, the company had relied on track switches to determine a tram’s location, a method limited by track configuration. Now, with precise real-time data, control room staff can better manage service intervals, handle unexpected disruptions and co-ordinate emergency manoeuvres.

This operational upgrade also benefits the public. By combining real-time tracking with historical data, the company now provides estimated arrival times for the next three trams on its mobile application, allowing passengers to plan their journeys with ease.

Furthermore, the system prioritises safety at the network’s 20 L-shaped curves. Special RFID tags have been installed at the curves to monitor tram speeds and ensure speeds remain within the safe limit of 8km per hour when taking a bend. "If the tram's speed is higher than the limit, an alarm is emitted by the system to alert the driver to slow down before entering the curve," Mr Chan added.

Safeguarding roads

Following incidents where lorry-mounted cranes struck road infrastructure, mandatory regulations were implemented in March 2025 requiring vehicles with extendable aerial structures to be fitted with over-height warning systems.

To support this transition, the Centre of Advanced Power & Autonomous Systems has developed a specialised crane position monitoring system.

"We need to make sure that the sensor is easy to install," noted the centre's former Chief Executive Officer Lawrence Cheung. "We want the development to be applicable to different kinds of cranes in different situations."

The system uses a sensor mounted on the crane to monitor its height and angle, cross-referencing this data with the global positioning system tracking to determine if the vehicle is in motion. If the vehicle moves while the crane is not fully retracted, audio and visual alarms are triggered in the cab. Mr Cheung emphasised the importance of reliability, noting that the system is designed to prevent false alarms so that drivers can trust the warnings.

Established in 2021, the Smart Traffic Fund has approved 92 projects to date, totaling about $638 million in funding. These projects cover road safety, driving behaviour, traffic forecasting, parking, vehicle safety devices and autonomous driving technology.