Status Report of Preparatory Committee

Dear Applicants and Friends,

It gives me great pleasure in writing to address you as the Convenor of the Preparatory Committee of our newly founded Intelligent Transportation Systems - Hong Kong (ITS-HK). You may recall that the Transport Bureau has identified the better use of ITS as one of the five focuses in the study in its “A Transport Strategy for the Future, Hong Kong Moving Ahead in October 1999. We have since then endeavoured to establish ourselves as a force to be the industry leader in ITS in Hong Kong. Our list of advisors speak for themselves coupled with our Patron, Mr. Anthony S.K. Wong. We have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement with ITS-Canada. We have been appointed as a member of the Local Advisory Panel of the ITS Strategy Review by the Transport Department. I am confident others others are sure to follow would soon follow.

Clearly we are going from strength to strength. One element that we should focus on is you “Our Members" and “Our Potential Members.” Your views and comments are greatly encouraged and welcomed. Without such, ITS-HK would not improve. So may I urge you to speak your mind and help us develop ITS-HK as the Society that is responsive to safety and environmental changes, as well as caring for our future needs in the community that benefit all who live in this "City of Life - Hong Kong". I must also draw your attention to an important event, which I urge you to mark in your diaries and if possible to attend. It is the Asia Pacific Electronic Symposium 2000 and Intelligent Transport Technologies Forum, scheduled on 12-13 October 2000 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. I am sure this - an event would that is sure to be as successful as in the previous year. I sincerely hope I will be able to meet you at this function. 

On this note, I must thank members of the Preparatory Committee. Without them, ITS-HK would not have been able to achieve such great success today. Finally I look forward to developing closer ties with other regional bodies to gradually establish ourselves as one of the major ITS Societies in this universe worldwide.

Warmest Wishes,

Ir John Sze, Convenor of Preparatory Committee

Our Objectives:

• Formulate standards for participation in National and International ITS standardization processes
• Provide forum for determination of user's requirements and solutions
• Examine non-technical and institutional issues (privacy, intellectual property, liability etc.)
• Encourage R & D of ITS technologies for multi-disciplinary partnerships among public and private sectors
• Promote the awareness of benefits and advise the importance of ITS to the public and decision-makers
• Enhance interflow among local, Mainland and international ITS industry
• Organize members' activities for the promotion of ITS in Hong Kong SAR

ITS-HK has been invited to become a member of the Local Advisory Panel for the ITS Strategy Review by the Transport Department (TD). Terms of reference are as follows:

• To advise TD with regard to the ITS-related research and development work being conducted or planned by the universities and industry;
• To advise TD with regard to the experience in the development, implementation and operation of ITS applications; and
• To provide comments on the findings and recommendations of the Review.

ITS Canada Mission to Hong Kong

A group of ITS Canada delegates paid a visit to Hong Kong on the 7^th July 2000. Our very own Tommy Law, Albert So and John Sze entertained the visiting delegates on a Boat trip to Lantau and Lantau Fixed Crossing hosted by Marconi Communications -GEC.

A luncheon at the Hong Kong Jockey Club (sponsored by ITS-HK) created an atmosphere where by, members of the ITS-HK participated in an informal gathering with the ITS delegates from Canada.

To conclude the event Joseph Lam (ITS Canada) and John Sze (ITS-HK) signed a letter of intent to develop closer ties to enhance mutual exchange of information and co-operate in promoting the principles of ITS globally.

The Canadian Consul General in Hong Kong and the Media attended the event, which proved to be a success. It is anticipated that further Letters of Intent with other leading ITS organisations will follow. Watch this Space!

ITS Canada Delegates

1. British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Highways - Mr. Harry Lali (Minister) and Ms. Claire Dansereau (Deputy Minister).
2. ITS Canada/ Delcan Corporation - Mr. Joseph K. Lam and Mr. Perry Craig.
3. EIS Electronic Integrated Systems - Mr. Robert Bruce.
4. iMPath Networks Inc. - Mr. Brian Cherrin.
5. IBI Group - Mr. Andrew McNally.
6. Insurance Corporation of British Columbia - Mr. Geoffrey Ho.
7. Lockheed Martin Canada - Mr. Tip Franklin.
8. Novax Industries - Mr. David Atnikov and Mr. Doug Gubbe.
9. Shaflik Engineering - Mr. Carl Shaflik.
10. SinoCann Entrepreneur Association - Mr. Owen B. Tu.
11. Superior Safety - Mr. Bill Van Esch.

Upcoming Activities

Asia-Pacific Electronics Symposium 2000 (APES '00)

Jointly organised with HKTDC and HKIE-Electronics Division

Date & Venue

12 - 13 October 2000 (Thursday to Friday); HKCEC

Program Highlights

The Symposium aims to provide a technical forum to manufacturers, regulators, network operators, academics and professional of the electronics and information engineering fields to exchange views and share experience of the new technological development and their potential applications on the market.

Day 1 - Intelligent Transport System Technologies Forum;

Day 2 - Electronic Commerce Technologies

It will be a concurrent event with the Electronics Fair 2000.

Speakers
Speakers include key international persons from regulatory bodies, equipment and system suppliers and services providers.

Report

Ways to Miss a Queue! QMISS and MATTISSE

Jointly organised with HKIE-YMC

Date & Venue

9 October 2000 (Monday); 18:00 refreshments for 18:30-19:30; HKIE HQ

Program Highlights

Efficiency of highways and public transport systems can be enhanced through traffic information systems such as the Quantified Motorway Information Supply System (Q-MISS) and the Midlands Advanced Transport Telematics Information System for Strategies in Europe (MATTISSE). These systems collect data on car park management, pollution monitoring, Urban Traffic Control (UTC), congestion monitoring, public transport passenger information, police command and control and disseminate them through internet and Travel Information Providers. The speakers will discuss their development and systems architecture.

Speakers
Dr John Glen and Mr Eamonn Patton, Director and Project Manager of Mott MacDonald respectively.

- Report from HKIE-ITS Delegation