“Beep beep beep beep.” As you approach the crosswalk, a sudden series of rapid beeps fills the air, prompting you to think, “Red light,” and you stop. These familiar sounds are so ingrained in our daily lifes that we instinctively understand when to halt and when to walk. Yet for those who are visually impaired, this experience can be very different.
As dawn breaks over the bustling streets of Hong Kong, the Electronic Audible Traffic Signal emits a clear, rhythmic tone that slices through the cacophony of city life. For the average pedestrian, crossing the street is merely a matter of watching the lights change—a privilege often taken for granted. However, for the visually impaired, this sound transforms into a vital lifeline, guiding them through the urban maze.
Amid the chatter and movement of the world around them, these audible signals create a navigable space where safety and independence intertwine. This small but significant innovation not only facilitates crossing but also reminds us the importance of accessibility in a fast-paced environment. It serves as a poignant reminder that what may seem effortless to some is a vital bridge for others, hence it is important to bring inclusivity in our daily lifes.
In 2024, the annual transport digest said that several major contributory factors to road traffic accidents involving pedestrians. The highest number of incidents was due to pedestrian inattentiveness, accounting for 259 cases. Additionally, heedless crossings at designated intersections contributed to 89 accidents, while crossing away from crossings resulted in 145 incidents. Furthermore, 17 cases of pedestrian negligence were recorded, underscoring significant safety concerns among road users.
In response to these issues, the government is dedicated to enhancing the accessibility of pedestrian crossings and creating a more pedestrian-friendly environment that promotes walking as a sustainable mode of travel. This commitment involves effective management and maintenance of crossing facilities, alongside ongoing monitoring of relevant technologies and user needs for future updates. Notably, new initiatives in 2024 included the launch of the Diagonal Pedestrian Crossing Pilot Program and the introduction of a projecting red light assistive device. Additionally, the government has outlined two ongoing plans with an aim to improve pedestrian crossing facilities to better accommodate increasing traffic and pedestrian requirements.
Central to these efforts is the implementation of the Electronic Audible Traffic Signal (eATS), which helps visually impaired individuals cross roads safely by emitting sound and vibration signals. At specific crossings with high vehicle flow and low pedestrian traffic, these signals include a push-button function that activates the green pedestrian signal, allowing more vehicles to pass.
Background
Behind the steady beep of Hong Kong’s pedestrian signals lies a troubling trend that our streets are growing more dangerous. From the Transport Department, 10-year (2014-2024) reports show the rise in overall traffic accidents, while the vulnerable groups like elderly constitute the largest proportion.
Comparison of Traffic Casualties and Accidents between 2014 and 2024. Chart by Karis Chau.
Rate Comparison of Traffic Incidents between 2014 and 2024. Chart by Karis Chau.
The 2024 Police Traffic Report reveals a critical paradox. Though pedestrian fatalities fell by 32%, walkers still accounted for a staggering 48% of all traffic deaths. The 2,665 pedestrian casualties last year underscore a persistent crisis, with elderly residents being disproportionately affected.
Pedestrian Casualties in 2024. Chart by Karis Chau.
Pedestrian Fatalities in 2024. Chart by Karis Chau.
“Pedestrian inattentiveness” is a leading cause, with related casualties rising from 224 to 254. Yet, this framing raises a central question for a cosmopolitan city: Does the burden of safety lie solely with the individual? Or must our urban design and its technological aids be more protective?
Top 3 Pedestrian Contributory Factors. Chart by Karis Chau.
The current tool for assisting visually impaired pedestrians is the electronic audible traffic signal (eATS). Its purpose is to provide clear audio messages and a vibrating tactile signal to visually impaired persons (“VIP”) of the pedestrian traffic signal status. With existing eATS were installed starting from 2003, and most of them have been in continuous operation for over 20 years, exceeding their normal lifespan. In recent years, the fault rate of these devices has been gradually increasing, necessitating a large-scale replacement.
After years of service, the system’s limitations are apparent. Critics argue that for a city aspiring to be fully accessible, the current eATS technology requires significant upgrades to reliably fulfill its core mission, which is ensuring safety for its most vulnerable users. Therefore, starting from 2022, the government has gradually launched programs to upgrade a series of pedestrian facilities.
Technology and Design Breakdown
The older versions of eATS relied mainly on basic sound cues and a vibration component to signal when it was safe to cross. While the new-generation eATS builds on these original functions with a series of technological enhancements that improve clarity, accessibility, and user experience.
Functions of the new eTAS
Now, users can activate the system without physical contact by the touchless push button on the side of eATS. A light illumination unit has been added to the top of the device, making it easier for people with low vision to locate. On the left side of the unit, a tactile map provides a touch‑based layout of the surrounding streets and crossing area, helping visually impaired pedestrians better understand their nearby environment. To further serve diverse communities, the new eATS includes a multilingual voice message function: by pressing the activation button at the bottom, users can hear the names of nearby streets in Cantonese, Mandarin, or English. Additionally, the device features a flexible nighttime volume mode that automatically will lowers the sound level when no users are detected, reducing disturbance to nearby residents while maintaining safety.
3D model of the new‑generation eATS, two types differ in one includes a touchless button (left), while both feature a tactile map, a vibration button, and voice announcement functions. Generated by Jenny Han.
Auxiliary Devices
Another updated facility is the “Auxiliary Devices to Enhance Pedestrians’ Safety at Road Crossings”. Whereas older installations offered only simple light and sound cues, the new type uses LED illumination modules along with an extended traffic signal mounting arm. The module projects a red light onto the pedestrian waiting area whenever the “red man” signal is on. This reflected light—whether from the ground or from a mobile device—helps remind pedestrians of the red signal, especially when they are looking down at their phones.
The Belisha beacon
Similarly, the Belisha beacons— the yellow globe lights atop a black‑and‑white post which usually appear near certain crosswalks— have evolved to a more prominent design featuring a halo of flashing yellow light and white reflective bands along the pole.
Model comparison of the older Belisha beacons (left) and the new version (right).
Model by Jenny Han.
Accessibility and Controversy
Compared with traditional beacons, the upgraded version is more visible, even during daytime. Its additional flashing components help capture drivers’ attention more effectively, making crossings more prominent and strengthening drivers awareness comprehensively.
However, how is the accessibility of these upgrades which cost more than hundreds of millions? Moreover, have they caused any controversy?
Such upgradation is intended to increase visibility in dim conditions or busy urban environments, strengthening driver awareness and improving overall pedestrian safety.
In the past few years, the Transport Department has been carrying out a large‑scale upgrade of Hong Kong’s Electronic audible traffic signals (“eATS”). Since April this year, the department has been gradually replacing about 13,000 units across roughly 2,000 junctions in Hong Kong, with the full programme expected to be completed by the end of 2027. The aim is to improve the usability and accessibility of these devices for pedestrians with visual impairments.
According to Chief Engineer of the Transport Department, Kwok Ka‑chun, one key improvement is the addition of an illumination unit at the top of the device. “This lighting feature helps users with low vision identify the location of the signal more easily, particularly at night or in visually complex environments,” said Kwok.
Another major feature of the upgrade is the tactile map installed on the side of the unit. The map contains raised lines and symbols illustrating the nearby roads layout to the users, such as the location of traffic lanes and the presence of tram or light‑rail tracks.
“This tactile information supports blind pedestrians by giving them a better understanding of the surrounding road configuration, enabling them to form a clearer mental picture of the area,” social worker Susan said.
Mr. Lee Kai-tak, Vice Chairman of the Blind Sports Hong Kong believed that: “Such improvements may help ensure that pedestrians with different levels of vision can locate the device and understand the crossing environment better.”
The Transport Department has also introduced a range of auxiliary safety devices designed to improve accessibility and strengthen pedestrian awareness at road crossings. During the testing phase in the second half of 2022, a study conducted by a research team from the University of Hong Kong has found that by implementing the new auxiliary safety devices, “the number of pedestrians crossing during the “red light” signal dropped by roughly one‑quarter.” Following these results, now the devices were implemented at more than one hundred junctions across the city.
The red LED lights on extension arm turn on synchronously. Photo by Jenny Han, 25/11/2025.
The designer of this device, Au Ka Kit, believes: “A key feature of the device is the red light projection on the pavement, designed to alert pedestrians whose heads are down at their phones. The projection is bright and wide enough to make the red signal noticeable even without looking up.”
However, its impact is dependable as some people still ignore the red light and cross the street, indicating that the underlying issue is” insufficient traffic awareness” rather than visibility. Even so, the auxiliary safety devices remain useful for distracted pedestrians who may be likely to miss the signal.
A similar pattern of improvement can be seen with the updated Belisha beacons. In 2022, the Transport Department launched a pilot programme in the Kwai Tsing District, after which it reported a significant improvement: the proportion of drivers who stopped at zebra crossings for pedestrians increased from 42 percent to 80 percent. The success of the trial led to the decision to extend the new beacon design across Hong Kong.
Challenges and Improvements
While these pedestrian‑support technologies offer clear accessibility benefits, they also come with challenges. Many of these devices have been complained about with light and noise disturbances in surrounding communities. For example, during the 2022 trial, the auxiliary projection devices received multiple complaints from nearby residents who reported that the bright lighting affected their quality of rest. Wan Chai District Councilor Lam Wai-kong submitted a complaint to the Transport Committee in July but has yet to receive a response.
Similarly, the audible alerts from electronic traffic signals have also raised concerns about noise pollution in residential areas. The latest generation of the electronic audible traffic signals includes a volume adjust system that automatically reduces its volume by around 5 decibels, bringing the sound level to approximately 75 decibels. This design aims to maintain the device’s function while minimising disturbance to nearby residents.
Twenty years after installing the older eATS units (front), Hong Kong’s Transport Department has decided to replace them with the new version (back). Photo by Jenny Han.
Vehicles over pedestrian’s safety?
Hong Kong’s reliance on technological fixes, such as electronic audible traffic signals (eATS), serves as a temporary solution, masking the need for fundamental reforms in urban design. True progress requires a paradigm shift toward a people-first planning model that prioritizes pedestrian safety over vehicle efficiency.
Historically, Hong Kong’s streets have focused on maximizing vehicle throughput, creating environments that favor movement over dwellings. This engineering-centric approach has transformed crosswalks into hazardous passages rather than enjoyable public spaces. In contrast, the 2007 UK “Manual for Streets” advocates that the primary function of a street is to serve as a livable space, emphasizing walking and cycling while promoting traffic calming measures. This manual illustrates that the technology used at Hong Kong’s crossings is merely one component of a holistic people-first philosophy that the city has yet to fully embrace.
Video from Google Earth studio in 89 Percival street showcasing the latest version of the Electronic audible traffic signals. Video produced by Margo Wong
Justin Yim, the founder of the advocacy group Street Reset has mentioned, “When we focus on car movement efficiency, dynamism and comfort are lost, which ultimately harms pedestrian safety.”
Recent government strategies emphasize walkability through integrated transport and land-use planning, pedestrian priority zones, footpath widening, and traffic calming measures aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety and comfort. The city’s “Walk More, Ride Less” initiative seeks to promote walking as a sustainable mode of transport while reducing reliance on vehicles.
Despite these efforts, challenges persist, especially on minor streets with narrow pavements and heavy vehicular traffic, where pedestrian infrastructure remains inadequate. Traditional road designs have prioritized vehicle flow, and enforcement of pedestrian right-of-way can be inconsistent. In practice, traffic flow often takes precedence, and pedestrians may face fines for jaywalking, reflecting a cautious approach to enforcing pedestrian behaviour.
Kevin Chung, a visually impaired resident, shares his experience: “For example, if I’m walking up from Nam Cheong Street, I have to count the streets I’ve crossed, including Yu Chau Street, Apliu Street, and Cheung Sha Wan Road. Sometimes I make mistakes and have to ask people where I am. Having the new machines can help me easily identify which street I’m currently on.”
Video from Google Earth studio in Muk Chui Street showcasing the latest verison of Belisha beacon. Video produced by Margo Wong
While the eATS devices indicate progress, their true effectiveness depends on integration into the urban fabric rather than mere addition. This raises a critical question that is whether the installation of eATS a step toward co-designing an inclusive city for the disabled community, or is it simply a box-ticking exercise? The effectiveness of eATS is not guaranteed; for instance, can visually impaired pedestrians reliably detect tactile vibrations amid crowded crossings? This highlights the gap between theoretical accessibility and actual experience, emphasizing the need for ongoing engagement with end-users.
Looking ahead
As the day unfolds in Hong Kong, the familiar “beep beep beep beep” of the Electronic Audible Traffic Signal resonates through the air, blending seamlessly into the rhythm of the bustling city. Each sound aids pedestrians in their journey, serving as a beacon of safety and assurance. Yet as you immerse yourself in the vibrant life around you, it’s easy to overlook how these auditory cues profoundly impact those who rely on them.
For many, the signals are mere sounds guiding them across the street. But for the visually and hearing impaired, they signify independence and connection—an essential link to navigating their cities safely. As the beeping gently fades into the background, it symbolizes not just the intersection of people and technology, but also the ongoing commitment to inclusiveness in urban design. This harmony between human experience and technological innovation serves as a reminder that true progress lies in our ability to create spaces that respect and accommodate all, ensuring everyone can partake in the vibrancy of city life.
Cover Credit: Jenny Han Photo in 25/11/2025