1. Introduction

In order to meet the public need for improving the overall pedestrian environment, Transport Department is following an environmentally friendly approach in managing traffic and transport matters and is committed to putting more emphasis on the interests of pedestrians. Since year 2000, Transport Department has been implementing pedestrian schemes in several areas, including Causeway Bay, Central, North Point, Stanley, The Peak, Wan Chai, Mong Kok, Tsim Sha Tsui, Jordan, Sham Shui Po and Shek Wu Hui with the following objectives:

  • To improve pedestrian safety and mobility
  • To promote walking as a transport mode
  • To discourage access for non-essential vehicles
  • To improve overall pedestrian environment

2. Types of Pedestrian Schemes

Pedestrian schemes include the following types:

(I) Full-time Pedestrian Street

In full-time pedestrian streets, pedestrians have absolute priority. Vehicular access is restricted to emergency services only but service vehicles may be allowed in specific period, for selected locations.

Full-time Pedestrian Street at Paterson Street
Full-time Pedestrian Street at Paterson Street

(II) Part-time Pedestrian Street

In part-time pedestrian streets, vehicular access is only allowed in specific periods. In order to minimize vehicular access to the area, there is no on-street parking space. However, loading bays are provided for loading and unloading purposes.

Temple Street
Temple Street

(III) Traffic Calming Street

In traffic calming streets, footpaths are normally widened and on-street parking spaces are reduced as far as possible. Taxi stands and green minibus stands are only provided if relocation is not practical. There is no restriction to vehicular access. However, vehicles are slowed down through the use of traffic calming measures, such as speed tables, kerb build-outs, sharpened corners, road narrowings, gateways, etc

Road Narrowing at Hankow Road
Road Narrowing at Hankow Road		 Speed Table at Russell Street
Speed Table at Russell Street		 Kerb build-out at Lock Road
Kerb build-out at Lock Road

3. Factors considered in developing a pedestrian scheme:

  • Pedestrian capacity and safety of the existing footways.
  • Public demand and land use, e.g. are there shops or places of interest which would attract pedestrians flow?
  • Impact of pedestrianisation on the local traffic and the access and loading/unloading activities of the buildings in the vicinity.

Whilst pedestrianisation is desirable from pedestrian and environment standpoint, it is imperative that the design of any pedestrian scheme would not create serious traffic problems on other roads in the vicinity. Otherwise it would only be shifting traffic and environmental problems from one location to another without net gain to the community.

4. Existing and Proposed Pedestrian Schemes

5. We Need Your Help

As drivers :

  • Observe traffic signs and do not drive into the pedestrian area during the pedestrianisation period.
  • Not to park illegally within the pedestrian area.
  • Drive slowly and give way to pedestrians.
  • Refrain from using any audible warning device to ward off pedestrians unless there is a genuine danger.

As pedestrians:

  • Keep the area clean.
  • Not to remain on the carriageway longer than is necessary to cross it when the road is opened to traffic.