1.INTRODUCTION1.1 In the past 10 years (1988-98), Hong Kongs population has increased from 5.7 million to 6.8 million and GDP per capita has increased by 20% in real terms. This socio-economic growth, together with the rapid expansion of Hong Kongs port and airport facilities and increase in cross boundary traffic, have placed tremendous demands on transport infrastructure. Despite this, transport systems of Hong Kong have coped remarkably well with such demands. The majority of the population enjoy high levels of mobility and traffic speeds in most areas are at acceptable levels. 1.2 This success has been achieved through improving transport infrastructure, expanding and improving public transport, and managing road use. These principles, coupled with proper land-use planning, have formed the foundation of Hong Kongs transport policy and have been applied in response to changing opportunities and constraints. The First and Second Comprehensive Transport Studies, completed in 1976 and 1989 respectively, have formed the backbone of Hong Kongs transport infrastructure and policy development. 1.3 However, Hong Kong is a dynamic city, with continuous changes in economic growth and development, technology, public demands and aspirations. Population is forecast to continue growing at a fast pace and cross boundary activity is also expected to increase. These developments will continue to place further pressure on Hong Kongs transport infrastructure. If mobility is to be maintained, these demands need to be accommodated in some way. However, new infrastructure is becoming increasingly expensive and difficult to construct in Hong Kongs unique geographic situation. 1.4 Recent years have seen greater public awareness and concern over the deteriorating environmental conditions, which have accompanied the growth over the past decade. Although transport is only one of the contributing factors of environmental pollution, there is an increasing need for transport policy and planning to better reflect this concern. 1.5 As a result, the Third Comprehensive Transport Study (CTS-3) was commissioned in August 1997, with the objective of formulating a transport development framework that would contribute to more sustainable development in Hong Kong. In the transport context, this objective requires the balancing of a system that maintains and improves mobility with the adverse impacts this can have on the environment, and allows continued economic and social development. By emphasising the use of public transport, in particular railway, enhancing the integration of different transport modes, and making use of new technologies, a framework has been developed that provides mobility in a sustainable development context. Providing mobility in a sustainable development context 1.6 As with previous CTS studies, CTS-3 has developed transport policies together with a set of infrastructure requirements and associated programmes for implementation. In addition, CTS-3 has recommended to develop a review system to ensure that the need, timing, scope and priorities of the relevant highway projects are re-assessed before implementation in light of the latest development. 2. BACKGROUND TO CTS-3Developments since CTS-22.1 CTS-3 is the third comprehensive transport study. The first study, which was completed in 1976, resulted in the decision to construct the MTR system and the realisation that it would be necessary to restrain private car travel. In 1986-89, the Second Comprehensive Transport Study (CTS-2) formulated a transport framework for the territory up to the year 2001 for a population forecast of 6.3 million. In view of the considerable uncertainties of transport planning at the time, in particular the future location of the territorys airport, the study recommended that the implementation of the strategy should be monitored and updated on a regular basis. Accordingly, from 1990 to 1993, the Updating of the Second Comprehensive Transport Study (CTS-2 Update) was undertaken to review the CTS-2 framework taking into account the relocation of the airport to Chek Lap Kok, Metroplan, and various reclamation studies. The planning horizon was also extended to 2011 for a population forecast of 6.6 million. 2.2 CTS-2 was a key study in the development of Hong Kongs transport policy and systems. Its recommendations formed the basis of the 1990 White Paper Moving into the 21st Century. Many of the road and rail infrastructure recommendations of the White Paper have now been implemented, as shown in Table 2.1. The broad policy directions have also been generally maintained. Table 2.1 Progress on Major Infrastructure Recommendations of 1990 White Paper Recommendation Progress Highway Projects North Lantau Expressway and Lantau Fixed CrossingRoute 9 from Tsing Yi to Chek Lap Kok completed and open to traffic in 1997.Route 3 to provide a major north-south link between the boundary and Hong