Revision of Code of Practice for the Lighting, Signing and Guarding of Road Works
Pursuant to the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap 374), the Highways Department (HyD) published in the Gazette today (June 16) the revised Code of Practice for the Lighting, Signing and Guarding of Road Works. This revised edition is the Fifth Edition of the Code and shall take effect from January 1, 2018, to supersede the current Fourth Edition.
A spokesman for the HyD said that the revised Code has incorporated the findings of the inter-departmental working group, comprising members from the Transport Department, the Police and the HyD, which has reviewed the Code for improvements to the lighting, signage and guarding measures relating to road works (with reference to the latest developments in relevant technologies, local experiences, the trade's suggestions, latest overseas standards and practices, their appropriateness and feasibility for application to the roads in Hong Kong, and more) with a view to further enhancing the safety protection measures for carrying out road works.
The major revisions to the Code include:
(1) Extending the application of shadow vehicles equipped with a truck-mounted attenuator and enhancing the associated technical requirements to further minimise the risk of a vehicle crashing into a work site during an accident as well as to further reduce the resultant damage or injury;
(2) Emphasising the need to consider the provision of a sufficient safety clearance zone, working duration, space and safety protection for a works area while planning the road works to reduce the risk faced by road users and workers; and
(3) Strengthening the requirement on retroreflective material for temporary traffic signs, enhancing the application guidelines on flashing arrow signs and temporary variable message signs and more to provide clearer directions to motorists.
The revised Code can be downloaded, free of charge, from the website of the HyD (www.hyd.gov.hk) from June 19. The printed version can be purchased from the Government Publications Sales Unit from early October.
In addition, the HyD will continue to carry out the relevant legislative review to strengthen the traffic control and safety for road works, and will report to the Legislative Council Panel on Transport on the latest developments in the review in a timely manner.
Ends/Friday, June 16, 2017