Commissioned by the Railway Development Office of the Highways Department in Hong Kong, AECOM carried out a vital 42-month feasibility study to investigate the need for and the mode of implementation of new railway projects to cater to Hong Kong’s long-term development needs.
Unlocking development potential
As the city’s third-ever railway planning study, the Strategic Study on Railways Beyond 2030 (SSR 2030+) aims to:
- Enhance integration between Hong Kong and Mainland China cities
- Expand transport network coverage
- Increase commuting options for passengers
- Improve efficiency of the existing railway network
The design of our study
Our study recommended a comprehensive Railway Development Strategy to meet future transport demands, based on the updated territorial development strategy and the guiding principles of Hong Kong 2030+. This included the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy and Action Agenda, which provided direction for future railway demand and services.
Highlights of the study design process
- Forecasting transport demand: We conducted a comprehensive analysis of Hong Kong’s railway supply and demand, addressing both long-term domestic and cross-border transport integration with Mainland China, particularly with other Greater Bay Area cities, as well as passenger projections up to and beyond 2046.
- Assessing new railway requirements: Our team undertook preliminary technical and environmental reviews, and consolidated recommendations for stakeholder engagement through a structured public consultation program. The “Railway Development Strategy Model” was also updated to enhance its forecasting capabilities, including model calibration, baseline analysis, and developing robust patronage forecasts to evaluate different proposed railway schemes.
- Enhancing the railway network: By integrating public views, sustainability, and environmental considerations into the railway scheme throughout the study, we refined the railway proposal to create an effective Railway Development Blueprint for beyond 2030.
Outcome and recommendation
This comprehensive feasibility study formulated a forward-looking Railway Development Strategy that:
- Accommodates both domestic and cross-boundary passenger services
- Addresses short-term (2031), medium-term (2031-2041), and long-term (post-2041) requirements
- Maintains operational safety and efficiency
- Ensures financial viability and environmental sustainability
- Supports Hong Kong’s continued economic growth
As a strategic framework, it provides decision-makers with evidence-based recommendations to guide railway infrastructure investments, ensuring Hong Kong’s transport network remains resilient and responsive to future challenges. The study’s findings will inform critical decisions about the territory’s railway development for decades to come. For example, one of AECOM’s recommendations includes new railway schemes to connect new development areas in the Northern Metropolis to existing and future transport networks.
Strategic Railway Studies
The SSR 2030+ study forms the backbone of the HKSAR Government’s Major Transport Development Blueprint issued in late 2023. The Blueprint outlines the vision for a livable, competitive, and sustainable city through infrastructure-led development, extending beyond 2046.
Previously, AECOM supported the Hong Kong SAR government in the development of both its first and second Railway Development Studies, which laid the foundation for railway planning up to 2021.
Relevant links
