From S960 to the New Railway Standard — The “Landing Formula” for Innovation

In my previous article, I mentioned the example of using S960 ultra-high-strength steel in the Eastern Section of the Fanling Bypass. This time, I would like to extend the discussion: innovation is not only about technological breakthroughs—it must also be “landed” through institutions and culture. The key lies in first establishing new specifications → validating them through projects → and forming a sustainable application model. The recently launched Hong Kong Railway Standard by the Highways Department exemplifies this pathway.

Institutions First — Creating Space for Innovation

In the past, most railway projects in Hong Kong adopted a single British or European standard. While this ensured quality, it limited choices and created cost pressures. The new standard breaks this constraint by introducing national and multiple international standards, making the technical framework more flexible and encouraging the adoption of new construction methods, machinery, and materials.

Take signalling systems as an example. Previously, only designated brands could be used, meaning maintenance, upgrades, and parts replacement all depended on the same suppliers. Over time, patent fees and service premiums accumulated. The new standard introduces more proven solutions, increasing competition and naturally improving price flexibility. Public resources can therefore be used more efficiently, allowing innovation to evolve from isolated breakthroughs into replicable industry norms.

Validation Through Practice — From Pilot to Norm

The new standard will first be applied to major projects such as the Northern Link and the Hong Kong–Shenzhen Western Rail Link. These projects will test the performance of the new specifications in terms of cost, programme, and efficiency. Much like the experience with S960 steel, the process follows a clear logic: institutional framework first, project-based validation next, and finally adoption as an industry standard.

Imagine if the new standard could shorten construction time by three months or reduce project costs by 10%. This would not merely be a numerical adjustment—it would reshape working practices across the entire industry.

Responding to New Demands, Enhancing Cost Effectiveness

Many of Hong Kong’s technical codes were established decades ago and may not fully respond to today’s requirements in urban density, load capacity, operating frequency, signalling demands, and construction impact. The new standard is not a rejection of the past, but an acknowledgement that conditions have changed. Under a safe and controllable framework, it introduces more appropriate design and operational requirements.

Mainland China’s railway development is a clear example. By the end of 2025, the total operating railway mileage reached 165,000 kilometres, including over 50,000 kilometres of high-speed rail, placing both efficiency and technology among the world’s best. The Hong Kong Railway Standard selectively and pragmatically incorporates these mature standards, balancing realism with risk reduction.

Attracting More Local and Overseas Investors

As Hong Kong’s railway standards become more diversified, demand for related technologies, equipment, testing, certification, and consultancy services will grow, attracting more professional organisations and investors from both the Mainland and overseas. In the longer term, if other emerging markets adopt Hong Kong’s railway standards, related products and services can develop into international business models. Hong Kong would naturally become a platform, generating long-term economic returns.

For example, mature railway system products from the Mainland, once tested and certified under Hong Kong’s stringent regime, could further penetrate international markets. In this process, Hong Kong plays the role of a “bridge”, creating new business opportunities. Given that infrastructure projects typically have life cycles of 50 to 100 years, once new standards are adopted, the associated technologies and products are continuously carried forward with the projects, sowing seeds for sustained business development.

Development Bureau Taking the Lead — Driving Industry Innovation

From the successful application of S960 steel to the formulation of the Hong Kong Railway Standard, sustained government efforts in construction technology and institutional reform have been crucial. In particular, the Development Bureau has, over the years, provided clear policy direction and institutional space for public works departments and the industry, enabling orderly updates of standards and the introduction of new technologies. This is not a series of isolated breakthroughs, but a continuously extensible innovation pathway.

Our company also has practical experience. In hospital construction projects, we used our self-developed digital procurement platform, Mattex, to help clients compare technical differences between Hong Kong and Mainland standards. We clarified specification differences across nearly 70 materials (covering building finishes and E&M works), verified item by item whether they were mutually acceptable under Hong Kong requirements or required additional validation, and ultimately introduced Mainland equipment certified in both jurisdictions—reducing procurement costs by around 20 to 30%.

This example illustrates that the true value of diversified standards does not lie in simply “changing the source”, but in building professional capability to compare, validate, and connect different standards. This aligns closely with the direction of the Hong Kong Railway Standard—with institutional space in place and rigorous technical validation, both innovation and cost efficiency can be realised simultaneously.

Innovation does not land through a single technology alone, but through institutions, validation, and continuous updates. With a population of only seven million, Hong Kong must “borrow strength” from the Mainland’s vast market and world-class technologies, transforming them into internationally recognised standards to enhance its competitiveness. As more new technologies are gradually integrated into the construction industry, this “landing formula” will determine whether Hong Kong can leverage its institutional strengths to secure a long-term position in the global landscape.