Technical Study on Seat Occupancy and Seat Belt Fastening Detection for Green Minibus
The Transport Department (TD) has engaged a technical specialist to conduct a technical study on seat occupancy and seat belt fastening detection for Green Minibus (GMB), in order to explore the feasibility of different technical solutions through a Proof-of-concept (POC) on-site trial, with a view to enhancing passengers' awareness of wearing seat belt. Details of the technical solutions can be referred to the leaflet.
POC on-site trial
The POC on-site trial has been conducted from Q3 of 2020 on eight selected GMB routes (one GMB from each route) in phases for testing and reviewing the effectiveness of different technical solutions of seat occupancy and seat belt fastening detection, as well as measures to remind passengers to wear seat belt.
List of the GMB routes involved in the POC on-site trial can be referred to the following table.
| GMB Route | Origin - Destination |
|---|---|
| New Territories No. 20C | Tai Po Market Station <-> Tai Mei Tuk |
| New Territories No. 403 | Shek Lei (Lei Pui Street) > Sha Tin Wai (Circular route) |
| New Territories No. 36 | Yuen Long (Fook Hong Street) <-> Tai Sang Wai Rural Office |
| Hong Kong Island No. 56 | Mid-Levels (Robinson Road) <-> North Point (Marble Road) |
| Hong Kong Island No. 58 | Aberdeen (Wu Nam Street) <-> Kennedy Town Station |
| Kowloon No. 27M | Lok Man Sun Chuen (Maidstone Road) <-> Mong Kok Station |
| Hong Kong Island No. 51 | Tin Wan Estate > Aberdeen (Circular route) |
| Hong Kong Island No. 54M | Kennedy Town Station <-> Queen Mary Hospital |
Trial Result and Follow-up Action
The technical study was completed in September 2021. The result showed that the tested solutions were technically feasible under normal circumstances and could detect the seat occupancy and seat belt fastening status accurately in general.
We and the technical specialist have summarised feasible technical solutions based on the data collected and opinions from drivers and passengers received during the POC on-site trial and consultations with the Public Light Bus (PLB) trades and relevant vehicle suppliers/manufacturers. With effect from 1 September 2023, all newly registered Public Light Bus are required to be installed with a Seat Belt Fastening Detection and Alert System pursuant to an additional licensing condition for PLB imposed by the Commissioner for Transport with the power under regulation 21(10) of the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) Regulations (Cap. 374E).
For enquiries, contact us via the following channels:
Telephone number: (852) 2804 2600
E-mail address: tdenq@td.gov.hk