TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taichung City Government launched a pilot program to shorten red light wait times by 15 to 25 seconds during the hottest part of the day.
Taichung Transportation Bureau Director-General Yeh Chao-fu (葉昭甫) noted that Taichung has 6,663 traffic signals, the most of any city or county in Taiwan, per a press release.
Red light durations will be reduced between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, when summer temperatures are typically hottest. The pilot program will run until Aug. 28 at 67 intersections along four major roads: Zhongqing Road, Chongde Road, Wenxin Road, and Jinhua North Road.
Yeh said many of Taichung's major roads radiate from Taichung Railway Station, and intersections along these corridors typically require longer green light cycles to accommodate traffic volumes, resulting in longer overall signal cycles. He said the pilot program reduces the time pedestrians and riders of two-wheeled vehicles spend waiting in direct sunlight without compromising traffic flow or safety, per the press release.
Yeh added that the bureau is also using pedestrian countdown displays at intersections to provide safety reminders, including warnings to watch for turning vehicles, cross promptly, and obey traffic signals.
