New Taipei Pilots Automated Sidewalk Sunshades to Cool Down Pedestrians Waiting for Red Lights in Summer

The Traffic Bureau issued a press release. Bureau Chief Chung Ming-shih stated that in the face of increasingly obvious summer high temperatures, the city government has introduced automated sunshade equipment. Combined with environmental sensing technology, it will automatically open and close based on sunlight and wind speed, giving the public a shaded space to rest while waiting for red lights. Lin Chao-hsien, a specialized committee member of the Traffic Bureau, pointed out that the area around the city hall plaza is spacious and lacks sufficient shade facilities. Therefore, two intersections at Xianmin Boulevard, Xinzhan Road, and Xinfu Road were selected to pilot the "Automated Sidewalk Sunshade," hoping to make it more comfortable for the public waiting for red lights. Lin Chao-hsien stated that this equipment was introduced from South Korea and features smart sensing functions. When the temperature rises and sunlight is strong, it will automatically expand. At night or when encountering strong winds, it will automatically fold, taking into account both safety of use and equipment durability. He pointed out that the sunshade has an expanded diameter of about 5 meters and is only about 60 centimeters when stored. It is powered by solar energy and integrated with nighttime LED lighting, which not only saves energy but also enhances nighttime safety. In the future, public feedback and equipment operation conditions will be collected to evaluate the feasibility of expanding the promotion. (Editor: Guan Zhong-wei) 1150409