TD launches technical study on seat occupancy and seat belt fastening detection for green minibuses

     To facilitate passengers' commuting and enhance their awareness of wearing seat belts, the Transport Department (TD) will conduct a proof-of-concept trial on eight green minibus (GMB) routes in phases from tomorrow (September 30) to test different technical solutions to detect seat occupancy and fastening of seat belts in GMBs as well as display methods for disseminating such information.
 
     Devices will be installed on seats and seat belt buckles of GMBs for seat occupancy and seat belt fastening detection. The detected status will be displayed through LED signals or LCD screens newly installed on GMBs. The LED signals will be installed above passenger seats. A green light signal will be displayed if a seat is not occupied while a red light signal will indicate a seat is occupied with the seat belt unfastened. The LCD screens will be installed adjacent to the driver's seat and/or the passenger entrance to indicate seat occupancy and the seat belt fastening status of individual seats.
 
     One GMB from each of the eight routes, namely routes No. 51, 54M, 56 and 58 on Hong Kong Island; route No. 27M in Kowloon; and routes No. 20C, 36 and 403 in the New Territories, will participate in the trial. The trial is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2021.
 
     Subject to the result of the technical study, the TD will consider extending the application of the technical solutions to other GMBs and other forms of public transport.
 
     Please visit the TD's website
(www.td.gov.hk/en/transport_in_hong_kong/its/intelligent_transport_systems_strategy_review_and_/technical_study_on_so_and_sbfds_for_gmb/index.html) for details.