Department of Transportation

As alleys or lanes in Taipei City are too narrow and the ground too uneven to install real sidewalks in the near future, Taipei City Traffic Engineering Office under the Department of Transportation, based on the idea of pedestrian-oriented transportation, in 2010, started to try the pilot establishment of marked sidewalks at sections frequently used by pedestrians and schoolchildren, in order to ensure the safe passage of pedestrians. This practice was included in the regulations by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, R.O.C in 2013. One hundred new marked sidewalks will be set up in 2014.
The Traffic Engineering Office said that the marked sidewalks have been tested and promoted since 2010; 198 marked sidewalks were built, adding up to a total length of about 18 km in Taipei City by the end of October, 2013. Out of the planned 70 sidewalks for 2013, 53 have been completed by now.
During the pilot process, the Office made a suggestion concerning the sidewalk marking to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications regarding the amendment of Article 174, Paragraph 3 of Traffic Signs, Marking and Lights Installation Rules. The suggestion won the support of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications and the amendments were promulgated on Aug. 1, 2013. In 2014, the Office will expand the implementation, planning to install 100 marked sidewalks which will give priority to alleys under 8 m in width, in the hope that pedestrians can be separated from vehicles to ensure a safe traffic environment for pedestrians.
In order to realize the idea of pedestrian-oriented transportation and create a pedestrian-friendly environment, Taipei City Police Department has begun to enforce the regulations regarding the illegal occupation of, and driving on, the marked sidewalks to ensure the safe passage of pedestrians in accordance with the amendments published by the Ministry of Transportation earlier this year.

2014-02-01