Differing Responses to 3D Crosswalks in Taoyuan|桃園試辦立體行人穿越線 用路人褒貶不一

Taoyuan City's Department of Transportation began converting lines at crosswalks into 3D, hoping to increase pedestrian safety. The 3D lines are meant to remind motorists to slow down when approaching crosswalks. However, transportation experts say they could have an opposite effect on motorists.


The lines at this crosswalk are different from those at traditional zebra crossings. These lines are 3D, and motorists have had differing reactions. Some think they are pretty and can remind motorists to be careful, while others think they are too ornate and could lead to safety issues.

They're great. (What do you mean?) This way, the colors appear to be very bright, so we will notice them when we are driving.

The colors are too much, you will want to stop when you get there. I think they're disturbing.

Taoyuan City's Department of Transportation, which came up with the idea to convert lines at crosswalks into 3D to increase pedestrian safety, says green and yellow lines were added to the existing lines at crosswalks to create a 3D effect with bright colors. They are meant to remind motorists to slow down when approaching crosswalks, thereby reducing the accident rate. However, scholars worry they may have the opposite effect and end up decreasing traffic safety.

If people are driving, approach an intersection without signals and see the crosswalk with 3D lines, they may suddenly see it as an obstacle and then try to go around it.

The department says it is trying out this new type of crosswalk at places with heavy pedestrian traffic such as schools. It will assess the effects to decide whether to expand the program. Scholars say drivers may end up thinking road surfaces are convex at places with 3D crosswalks and suddenly brake, causing accidents. They add traffic cameras should be used to assess the efficacy of this plan.