The Transport Department launched a pilot version of the Driving Route Search Service today to help motorists plan their trips in advance through point-to-point route searches on the Internet.

The service will suggest the driving route with the shortest travel time, the lowest toll and the shortest distance, accompanied by a map display. It is the first application of the Intelligent Road Network (IRN) newly developed by the department on the web.

"With regular updating of information on the IRN, the [service] suggests the driving route based on the latest data in the IRN," said Assistant Commissioner for Transport, Technical Services, Tsang King-man.

The travel time of the suggested route is an estimate based on previous statistics and the latest data collected by traffic detectors on roads. It is meant for reference only and may not represent the true travel time to be taken.

If the route searched involves a cross-harbour journey, the service will further provide information on the three cross-harbour routes, including the estimated travel time, distance and toll for motorists' consideration.

"The new service is still in the pilot stage, aiming to collect user feedback. Similar to other searching systems, the service needs time for refinement," Mr Tsang said, adding the department welcomes feedback.

The service also provides other information, such as no-stopping restrictions, vehicle restrictions, major carpark locations, ad hoc special traffic news and special traffic and transport arrangements for planned events, that may be related to the suggested route for users' reference.

Click here for a trial of the service pilot version. Call 1823 or send an email for enquiries or comments.