Hong Kong approves autonomous shuttle trial in Kowloon
Hkgov · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong’s Transport Department has issued a pilot licence for autonomous vehicles under the Road Traffic (Autonomous Vehicles) Regulation, allowing a trial between the Express Rail Link at Hong Kong West Kowloon Station and the Airport Express at Kowloon Station. The project covers four private cars operating in autonomous mode along a specified Kowloon route. A backup operator must remain inside each vehicle, and the vehicles must display designated Transport Department labels for public awareness. Officials say the trial is intended to assess safety, stability and operational feasibility in a busy interchange environment before wider deployment.
Key Points
- The approved trial will run between Hong Kong West Kowloon Station on the Express Rail Link and Kowloon Station on the Airport Express.
- The pilot licence covers four private cars that are authorised to operate in autonomous mode during the trial.
- The designated route includes Wui Man Road, Jordan Road, Nga Cheung Road, and Station Perimeter Roads South, East and North.
- A backup operator must stay inside every vehicle to take control if necessary, while all vehicles must carry designated labels.
- The Autonomous Vehicle Applications Promotion Working Group, chaired by the Commissioner for Transport, will monitor progress and review future licensing arrangements.
Why It Matters
If the trial performs well in an area with heavy passenger flows and complex traffic conditions, it could support the integration of autonomous fleets into Hong Kong’s broader public transport network. The government also expects a seamless automated interchange between high-speed rail and the Airport Express to make transfers more convenient and attract more travellers to both services and Hong Kong International Airport.