A new transport system using numbered routes is set to make driving easier.

The Transport Department has implemented the Strategic Route Number and Exit Number System to provide better information for motorists planning long journeys when they are unfamiliar with road names.

Department engineer Johnny Chan said the replacement of previous route numbers was completed last month.

The new route numbering system

* Route 1 includes the Cross-Harbour Tunnel, and Route 2 and 3 the Eastern Harbour Crossing and Western Harbour Crossing. This sequence follows the opening of the three cross-harbour tunnels;

* east-west Routes 4, 5 and 7 have sequences starting from south to north. Along the northern coast of Hong Kong Island, the original Route 7 and 8 have been combined and re-numbered as Route 4. The section of original Route 2 from Kowloon Bay to Tsuen Wan has become Route 5. The original Route 4 has been renamed as Route 7, and the section of original Route 9 on Lantau has been renamed as Route 8;

* Route 6 has been reserved for a future strategic route; and,

* the single New Territories loop is now named Route 9.

On the new Exit Number System, Mr Chan said motorists might have difficulty locating their destinations, as an exit from a Strategic Route could lead to several destinations, which might not be feasible to indicate in the directional signs.

In such circumstances, an exit numbering system is used in many overseas countries to guide motorists in planning their journeys. Motorists only need to read a map in advance and identify the number of the exit leading to the destination.

"By noting the sequence of exit numbers while proceeding along the route, motorists will know in advance that they are approaching the exit leading to the destination," he said.

Exits begin with '1'

In Hong Kong, exit numbers will begin with '1' at the first exit normally from the most easterly or southerly starting point of an expressway and is increased by one at the next exit. Exits in both bounds at the same interchange (symmetric exits) will have the same exit number.

If there is no exit opposite bound at the interchange, these non-symmetric exits in between interchanges will be numbered with alphabet suffix as the preceding exit, such as '1A', '1B' and '1C'.

"By noting the exit numbers, motorists will have advance information about the exit and hence can minimise sudden lane-changing," he said.

The department has launched the Remember the Numbers, Make Driving Easier campaign to help motorists get familiar with the new system.

Leaflets explaining it are available at the department's licensing offices and Government tunnel tollbooths. The leaflet has also been uploaded onto its website. Television and radio announcements will be broadcast.