New system to make ban on idle engines (note1) a breeze (note 2)

With the ban on idling engines just a day away, the territory has unveiled (公佈) its first automatic system to keep cool drivers who have stopped.

 

Developed by the Hong Kong Productivity Council, the system aims to ease the problem of high in-vehicle temperatures during idle stops while improving roadside air quality by cutting emissions (note 3).

 

“With this system, when vehicle comes to a complete stop, the engine will stop automatically, cutting emissions caused by idling, “council chairman Clement Chen Cheng-jen said.

 

“Also, once the engine stops, the auxiliary air-conditioning system will kick in (note 4) immediately and can keep running for up to an hour.” The system, funded by the government Environment and Conservation Fund and the Woo Wheelock Green Fund, is currently undergoing patent registration and can cut fuel consumption, Chan said.

 

“We plan to commercialize the technology through licensing to auto parts manufacturers for sales and production, creating business opportunities for the industry.”

 

The council is also upgrading the system to extend air-conditioning supply to up to two hours, a feat (絕技) that will be tested early next year.

 

Under the ban taking effect on Thursday, drivers cannot leave their engines idling for more than there minutes in any 60-minute period, subject to a fixed penalty of HK$320.

 

Taxis at stands are exempted, as are the first two minibuses at stands. All drivers are exempt during very hot weather or rainstorm warnings.

 

Meanwhile, plans are under way (note 5) for more than 200 hectares of land-or five times the area of the West Kowloon Cultural District-to be made available for the government’s housing program.

 

The sites include 50 hectares of neglected greenbelt area (note 6) in the New Territories, a Development Bureau spokesman said.

 

(note 1) idle engines=停車機器仍然開著 (空轉)

Idle=懶惰的, 吊兒郎當的

Stand idle=袖手旁觀

Idle way one’s [life]=虛渡時光

 

(note 2) a breeze=輕而易舉的事

Breeze=微風, 柔風, 和風

The horse Bo Bo Man won in a breeze=Bo Bo Man 這匹馬輕而易舉地就跑贏了

Breeze through the book written by Victor=不費力地很快讀完了全本Victor 寫的書

 

(note 3) cutting emissions=減少污染廢氣排放

The ship Victorian cut her way through the waves=Victorian號船破浪前進

Cut to the heart=使深深地感到痛心

 

(note 4) kick in=啟動

Mo Mo kicks the ball back=Mo Mo把球踢回去

Kick the car into higher gear=給汽車啟動快檔, 加速

 

(note 5) plans are under way=計劃已進行中

 

(note 6) neglected greenbelt areas=被忽視的綠色地帶

Victor was treated with neglect=Victor受到不理睬, 怠慢對待

Hit [strike] below the belt=[拳擊] 擊對手腰帶下部犯規行為; 卑劣行為, 玩卑鄙手段, 暗箭傷人