Advancing Geotechnical Resilience with the Smart Surface Drainage Monitoring System

Authors

  • Raymond P. H. LAW Geotechnical Engineering Office, Civil Engineering and Development Department, HKSAR Government Author
  • Jeffrey C. F. WONG Geotechnical Engineering Office, Civil Engineering and Development Department, HKSAR Government Author
  • C. H. CHENG Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre Author
  • H. LAM Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21467/proceedings.7.7.27

Abstract

The Smart Surface Drainage Monitoring System (SSDMS) is a pilot project developed by the Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) of the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) in collaboration with the Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre (LSCM). Initiated in early 2023, with site trials commencing in mid-2023, the SSDMS aims to enhance surface drainage maintenance and improve the management of landslide risks associated with extreme rainfall events. During Hong Kong’s record-breaking rainstorm in September 2023, the SSDMS successfully detected drainage blockages at one of the trial sites, effectively demonstrating its capability in supporting slope safety management. This system integrates ultrasonic sensors, laser sensors, water-triggering sensors, and verification cameras to provide continuous, real-time monitoring of drainage conditions. Collected data is transmitted via the Government Wide IoT Network (GWIN) or Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), enabling rapid maintenance responses through a dedicated web application and API. Ongoing enhancements include refining sensor detection algorithms, incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) to further reduce false alarms, and optimizing hardware designs to facilitate easier installation and improved reliability.

References

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Published

2025-11-21

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 7 (2025): Proceedings of The HKIE Geotechnical Division 45th Annual Seminar 2025 - Advancing Geotechnical Practice: Sustainable Solutions to Land & Infrastructure Developments

Section

Articles

License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

[1]
Raymond P. H. LAW, Jeffrey C. F. WONG, C. H. CHENG, and H. LAM, “Advancing Geotechnical Resilience with the Smart Surface Drainage Monitoring System”, AIJR Proc., vol. 7, no. 7, pp. 310–317, Nov. 2025, doi: 10.21467/proceedings.7.7.27.