Hong Kong will use drones and an artificial intelligence-driven website to help with crowd management and real-time aerial surveillance during the upcoming National Games — the first to be hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, the police revealed.

In the run-up to the games, set to begin on Nov 9, Robert Lok Wai-lurk, senior superintendent of the National Games (Special Duties) Operations Wing, detailed the police’s final preparations for the cross-boundary sports gala to media on Monday.

Hong Kong is hosting eight competition sports, one mass participation event, and two cross-boundary events as part of the 15th National Games, from Nov 9 to 21. Relevant test events were held between November 2024 and June to examine the set-up of venues, as well as security, crowd management, and emergency responses.

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A key resource to be deployed is the Force Drone Cadre, established in October 2024, which embodies the force's push for “smart policing”.

Before each sports event, drones will conduct aerial surveys to create 3D maps for operational planning and provide real-time surveillance during events, feeding video footage of crowds and traffic to the command center to facilitate crowd control measures, said Superintendent Ko Chung-ying of the Key Points and Search Division at the police’s Major Events Bureau.

The drones are equipped with safety parachutes, red and blue warning lights, and broadcast systems, and can be deployed for long durations to provide live footage and lighting during incidents.

To manage crowd dispersal, especially from the Kai Tak Sports Park — a multipurpose sports facility and the venue for four events to be held in the city — police will deploy the AI-powered Easy Leave website, which has already recorded over 550,000 visits since its launch in February 2025. A dedicated National Games version will be released, featuring the latest announcements, event details, information about security checks, and transportation arrangements related to the Games, facilitating easy access to and departure from the venues for spectators.

Lok said that, given the packed event schedule, the police are fully committed to personnel management and traffic control to minimize the duration of road closures and reduce the impact on residents’ daily activities.

Managing traffic is expected to be a major challenge for the two cross-boundary events.

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The cross-boundary marathon will see participants run across the Shenzhen Bay port and the Shenzhen Bay Bridge. The route and the border control point will be closed from early morning until the event has been completed.

“All preparation work must be completed within a tight three-to-four-hour window after road closures,” Superintendent Aubrey Siu of the Traffic New Territories North Enforcement and Control Division said.

For the cross-boundary road cycling race, which spans across Zhuhai, Macao and Hong Kong, rolling roadblocks instead of a full closure will be implemented to minimize disruption along the North Lantau Highway race route — also a major artery between the airport and urban areas.

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During the initial stage of the race, normal traffic flow will be maintained on the North Lantau Highway and the section near Disneyland. As racers approach the North Lantau Highway, the Force Escort Group will initiate rolling roadblocks to secure and clear the route, allowing the race to proceed.

Preparations include laying rubber mats over expansion joints on the track — to prevent bicycle tires from deflating and riders from losing their balance — and promptly clearing the mats after the racers have passed.

“This procedure requires precision execution to prevent congestion or delays,” Siu said, adding that there will be close interdepartmental cooperation.

Contact the writer at stacyshi@chinadailyhk.com