Taipei Green Councilors Inspect Painted Crosswalks: Over 1,000 Citizen Complaints in Six Months

TAIPEI (Central News Agency reporter Huang Li-yun, June 15) — The 'Taipei Good Governance Alliance,' a coalition formed by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Taipei City Councilors Lin Yen-feng, Yen Jo-fang, and others, announced today that numerous problems exist with traffic markings and painted crosswalks across Taipei City. Over 1,000 complaints have been received through the city's 1999 citizen hotline in the past six months, prompting the alliance to demand that Mayor Chiang's administration conduct a comprehensive review and implement improvements within three months.

Members of the 'Taipei Good Governance Alliance,' including Councilors Lin Yen-feng, Yen Jo-fang, and council candidates Liu Pin-hsin and Kuo Fan, held a joint press conference today titled 'Joint Inspection of Painted Crosswalks,' presenting issues identified in their respective administrative districts.

Lin Yen-feng stated that according to statistics from Taipei City's 1999 complaint system, from January to June 9, over 1,000 unique complaints (excluding duplicates) were filed regarding traffic line markings, chaotic painted crosswalks, and general traffic issues in just over five months—averaging more than eight complaints per day. This highlights that traffic problems remain a significant pain point for citizens.

She noted that their teams have also received numerous complaints, including painted crosswalks on curved roads that fail to account for vehicle turning radius, putting pedestrians at risk of being struck by turning vehicles. For example, the roundabout traffic markings on Danan Road in Shilin District have led to frequent accidents. Additionally, large painted crosswalks in front of shops have become traps for illegal parking.

Yen Jo-fang pointed out that during a recent city council session, she questioned Mayor Chiang Wan-an about Taipei's so-called 'human-centered transportation' policy, criticizing the lack of comprehensive planning. She said many road markings resemble graffiti, leaving citizens confused. For instance, in Zhongshan District near Nong'an Park, parking spaces and road edge lines are alternately painted, creating a blank gap in between. Even Mayor Chiang mistakenly assumed it was a parking space for large motorcycles, though the area is actually prohibited for parking.

Moreover, Yen said many green-painted crosswalks are fragmented, sandwiched between channelizing lines, or placed between bus bays and physical sidewalks without extending to the next sidewalk. Some leave blank spaces at turning corners, leaving pedestrians unsure of where to walk.

Liu Pin-hsin added that on Section 3 of Xinglong Road in Wenshan District, a lamppost is placed at the end of a painted crosswalk, obstructing pedestrian passage. Parents pushing strollers must detour around the pole, increasing their exposure to traffic danger during turns. Elsewhere, while the painted crosswalk widens near a transformer box, it does not do so near clothing donation bins or streetlights, leaving no viable walking space. She questioned whether the city government considered practical usability when designing these markings.

Kuo Fan criticized multiple unreasonable pedestrian markings across the city, including a lamppost placed in the center of a painted crosswalk on Songde Road, obstructing passage. Additionally, many painted crosswalks are painted directly over drainage grates with numerous water drainage holes, posing a tripping hazard for elderly users with walking canes, who may accidentally insert their canes into the holes and fall.

The 'Taipei Good Governance Alliance' members demand that the Taipei City Government, within three months, conduct a comprehensive review and develop an improvement plan for traffic markings. They urge that before painting any new crosswalks, the city fully consider pedestrian convenience and engage in thorough local consultations. They recommend prioritizing the redesign of drainage holes on painted crosswalks to prevent accidents. They also call on Mayor Chiang Wan-an to personally chair a citywide review meeting, urging him not to shift responsibility to individual departments. (Edited by Lin Shu-hui)