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Hong Kong government orders report after 2 driverless buses collide at airport

No passengers on board at time of accident, but experts urge thorough investigation as airport set to expand use of driverless vehicles

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Two vehicles collided at a taxiway intersection near the southwest corner of Terminal 1 at the airport on Sunday. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong’s transport authority has ordered airport management to submit a report after two unmanned vehicles collided in a restricted area, prompting experts to call for scrutiny over whether current technical solutions meet international standards.

The Transport and Logistics Bureau said on Monday night it had raised concerns with the Airport Authority and demanded it fully investigate the incident, identify the cause and adopt preventive measures to ensure operation were safe.

“For any application of technology, the primary consideration is safety,” the bureau said. “The Transport and Logistics Bureau will continue to follow up this incident with the Airport Authority, including demanding the authority to submit a report about this incident, so as to enhance the safety parameters of the autonomous system in the restricted areas.”

The authority suspended part of its driverless bus operation to carry out an inspection.

An image circulating online shows the aftermath of the collision on Sunday at a taxiway intersection near the southwest corner of Terminal 1, where a designated give-way line is marked.

The photo appears to indicate that one bus was supposed to stop at the line, but it drove directly into another shuttle that was travelling on the main taxiway path.

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