Hong Kong Airport Authority Awards Pioneering Tender For Autonomous Mass Transit

Thursday, June 27, 2024

Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) unveiled plans to develop an innovative autonomous vehicle system that will transport passengers between the Hong Kong Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) and SKYCITY at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). This initiative marks the first large-scale autonomous mass transportation system in Hong Kong.

AAHK has entrusted the project to KCM – PML Joint Venture, a collaboration between KC Smart Mobility Company Limited—a subsidiary of Kwoon Chung Bus Holdings Limited—and Prime Motors Limited. Additionally, the joint venture will collaborate with Baidu, a leader in autonomous driving technology, to supply the intelligent transportation system, and Xiamen King Long will provide the vehicles.

The new transportation system will operate along the Airportcity Link, a specifically designed vehicular bridge that includes a pedestrian pathway. This link is designed to connect the Hong Kong Port of HZMB with SKYCITY, a sprawling commercial hub on Airport Island featuring extensive dining, shopping, and entertainment options.

The autonomous vehicles will facilitate a rapid three-minute commute between the Hong Kong Port and SKYCITY. Each vehicle can accommodate up to 16 passengers, and initially, the system is expected to handle 500 passengers per hour in each direction. Plans are in place to expand this capacity to 2,000 passengers per hour per direction as the system matures.

A significant milestone was achieved with the signing of an agreement between Vivian Cheung, Acting Chief Executive Officer of AAHK, and James Wong, Director of KC Smart Mobility.

Vivian Cheung said at the signing ceremony, “HKIA has been pioneering the application of autonomous driving technology. We are the world’s first and only airport to put autonomous vehicles into live airport operations in a large scale, with autonomous electric tractors for baggage and cargo delivery, autonomous patrol cars to enhance airport security, and autonomous buses to shuttle airport staff on the apron.”

“The seamless connection between SKYCITY and the Hong Kong Port of the HZMB brought by the new system, along with the numerous attractions at SKYCITY, will certainly create exceptional experience and lure visitors, especially those from the Greater Bay Area, to the new landmark,” added Cheung.

Looking ahead, AAHK plans to extend the autonomous transportation service from SKYCITY to Tung Chung town centre, enhancing connectivity with existing MTR and bus networks. This expansion will provide seamless travel options for both residents and visitors, further integrating the region’s transportation infrastructure.

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