Marked Crosswalks Face Numerous Issues; Taipei City Government Pledges Ongoing Review and Adjustment

Central News Agency Report (Reporter: Yang Shu-min, Taipei, June 15)

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Taipei city councilors today conducted a joint inspection of marked crosswalks, highlighting numerous safety concerns and revealing over 1,000 public complaints via the 1999 hotline in the past six months. They urged immediate improvements. In response, the Taipei City Department of Transportation Engineering stated that 75.7% of citizens affirmed the city's efforts to improve pedestrian environments in last year's municipal survey, and pledged to continuously review and adjust infrastructure based on public feedback.

Members of the 'Taipei Good Governance Alliance'—DPP councilors Lin Yen-feng and Yen Jo-fang, along with council candidates Liu Pin-hsin and Kuo Fan—held a press conference titled 'Joint Inspection of Marked Crosswalks.' They questioned the design and safety of traffic markings and marked crosswalks, particularly criticizing crosswalks on curved roads that fail to account for vehicle inner-wheel turning radius. They cited over 1,000 complaints to the 1999 hotline in the past six months and demanded that Mayor Chiang's administration conduct a comprehensive review and implement improvements within three months.

The Department of Transportation Engineering explained that due to narrow road widths, elevation differences, drainage systems, and existing buildings in certain urban alleys, it is difficult to install physical sidewalks. Therefore, marked crosswalks are designated to reduce pedestrian-vehicle conflicts and enhance walking safety.

The department noted that the 2025 municipal satisfaction survey showed 75.7% of citizens approved of the city's efforts to improve pedestrian environments. Going forward, it will continue communicating with local residents and neighborhood offices, and conduct rolling reviews and adjustments based on usage patterns and feedback.

Additionally, the department added that Taipei has been gradually installing marked crosswalks since 2003 (Minguo Year 92) in areas around schools, residential zones, and high-pedestrian-traffic corridors to create a more walkable city. Since Mayor Chiang Wan-an took office, the 'Taipei Safe and Secure Transportation Initiative' has been continuously advanced, comprising 35 key projects. As part of this, the city plans to add or upgrade 9 kilometers of marked crosswalks this year, alongside initiatives to improve sidewalk clearance widths and remove road obstructions. (Edited by Li Shu-hua)