Last Updated on 2025 年 5 月 20 日 by 総合編集組
Pedestrian-Friendly Urban Planning: Taiwan’s Traffic Challenges and Solutions
Introduction
The concept of a pedestrian-friendly city goes beyond wide sidewalks or clear traffic signals—it’s about designing urban spaces with human needs at the core. A truly pedestrian-friendly environment ensures safety, convenience, and comfort for all users, from walkers and cyclists to parents with strollers and people with disabilities.
In Taiwan, this vision aligns with the “Complete Streets” philosophy, which advocates for equitable and safe access for users of all ages and mobility types. However, Taiwan faces significant challenges in achieving this goal, often labeled as a “pedestrian hell” due to persistent traffic issues. This article explores the seven key elements of pedestrian-friendly urban planning, Taiwan’s ongoing efforts, and actionable solutions to enhance safety and livability.
Core Principles of Pedestrian-Friendly Design
The “Complete Streets” framework underpins pedestrian-friendly urban planning, emphasizing four key principles:
- Safety: Implementing speed limits, optimized crosswalks, and priority rights for vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
- Multimodal Integration: Ensuring seamless connectivity for walking, cycling, and public transit to reduce reliance on private vehicles.
- Place-Making: Enhancing streetscapes with furniture (e.g., benches, streetlights), greenery, and art installations to create inviting environments.
- Sustainability: Promoting low-carbon mobility to reduce air pollution and improve public health and urban livability.
In Taiwan, the Ministry of the Interior’s Pedestrian Traffic Safety Facilities Ordinance (effective May 1, 2024) formalizes these goals, mandating accessible, continuous pedestrian pathways and vehicle behavior regulations in designated pedestrian-friendly zones. Central authorities set policies and performance metrics, while local governments conduct walkability audits, develop phased infrastructure plans, and report progress to enhance transparency and accountability.
Essential Infrastructure for Pedestrian Safety and Accessibility
Achieving pedestrian-friendliness requires robust infrastructure tailored to diverse needs:
- Sidewalks and Crosswalks: Expanding and clearing sidewalks of obstacles (e.g., parked vehicles, utility poles) ensures smooth pedestrian flow. Optimized crosswalks reduce crossing distances and improve visibility.
- Accessibility Features: Tactile paving, elevators, ramps, wheelchair charging stations, and free wheelchair/stroller rentals cater to people with disabilities and families.
- Family-Friendly Facilities: Public restrooms with nursing rooms, parentල), and child-friendly toilets enhance convenience for families.
- Accessible Public Transit: Cities like Taipei, Taichung, and Hualien lead in deploying accessible buses, supporting seamless travel for all.
These features not only benefit locals but also make Taiwan’s cities more welcoming for international tourists, with initiatives like accessible travel routes and beach wheelchairs.
Global Safety and Walkability Data
Safety is the cornerstone of pedestrian-friendly cities. According to Numbeo’s 2024 Safety Index, Taiwan ranks 4th globally and 1st in Asia, with Taipei ranking 3rd among cities. RankingRoyals’ 2023 report places Taipei 4th in global city safety, based on low crime rates and high walkability confidence. However, Taiwan’s traffic safety lags behind global leaders. The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that countries like Denmark, Japan, and Norway have reduced road traffic deaths by over 50%, while Taiwan’s 2023 data shows a 43.78% increase in driving-related incidents compared to 2019.
Nighttime walkability is another critical metric. The OECD Better Life Index reports that 74% of OECD residents feel safe walking alone at night, with countries like Denmark and Norway exceeding 85%. Airports like Tokyo Haneda and Singapore Changi excel in accessibility, offering comprehensive wheelchair services and clear signage, setting a benchmark for Taiwan to emulate.
Public Perceptions and Challenges in Taiwan
Taiwan’s pedestrian-friendly aspirations face scrutiny, particularly after a 2022 CNN report dubbed its streets a “pedestrian hell.” Public feedback highlights persistent issues:
- “Pedestrian Hell” Reputation: Many view Taiwan’s traffic as chaotic, with insufficient penalties for violations.
- Driver Behavior: Failure to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks remains a widespread concern.
- Inadequate Sidewalks: Narrow or obstructed sidewalks force pedestrians onto roads.
- Poor Intersection Design: Wide roads, blind spots, and insufficient signal timing create hazardous conditions.
- Enforcement Gaps: Weak enforcement and high accident rates undermine public trust in policy effectiveness.
A tragic accident in Sanxia, New Taipei City, on May 19, 2025, underscored these issues. A 78-year-old driver killed three and injured 12 near a school, raising questions about high-risk drivers, road design, and enforcement. This incident intensified calls for stricter licensing, better road planning, and a cultural shift toward prioritizing pedestrian safety.
Expert Recommendations for Improvement
Experts propose a multi-faceted approach to address Taiwan’s traffic challenges:
- Engineering Solutions:
- Build continuous, obstacle-free sidewalks.
- Install pedestrian refuge islands and shorten crossing distances.
- Eliminate blind spots and optimize traffic signals with pedestrian-priority phases.
- Improve road surfaces and school zone safety.
- Education and Advocacy:
- Promote driver yielding habits through campaigns.
- Enhance road safety education for all users.
- Introduce mandatory motorcycle training programs.
- Enforcement and Regulation:
- Increase fines for violations like failure to yield or illegal parking.
- Reinstate periodic license renewals for high-risk drivers.
- Policy and Data-Driven Approaches:
- Shift from car-centric to human-centric urban planning.
- Strengthen local government execution with clear central guidelines.
- Use data to monitor and refine traffic policies.
- Expand public transit to reduce private vehicle use.
- Establish a “Vision Zero” office to coordinate efforts toward zero traffic deaths.
Seven Key Indicators of a Pedestrian-Friendly City
The following metrics evaluate pedestrian-friendly cities:
- Traffic Safety Infrastructure: Well-designed sidewalks and crosswalks (e.g., Japan).
- Accessibility Coverage: Widespread facilities like ramps and tactile paving (e.g., Japan).
- Nighttime Safety: High public confidence in nighttime walking (e.g., Denmark, Norway).
- Traffic Fatality Reduction: Significant declines in road deaths (e.g., Japan, Denmark).
- Car-Free Zones: Expanded pedestrian-only areas (e.g., Copenhagen, Oslo).
- Accessible Public Transit: High ratios of accessible buses (e.g., Taipei, Taichung).
- Airport Accessibility: Comprehensive services for travelers with disabilities (e.g., Tokyo Haneda).
The Link to Urban Livability
Pedestrian-friendly designs enhance urban livability by reducing pollution, improving health, and boosting local economies. Oslo’s car-free city center reduced driving rates from 35% to 27%, increasing pedestrian and transit use while enhancing commercial vibrancy. These outcomes align with Taiwan’s goals to improve air quality and tourism appeal.
Family-Friendly Travel: A Broader Vision
Pedestrian-friendliness extends to family-friendly environments, critical for tourism. Key features include:
- Transportation: Airlines like China Airlines offer infant and child services, while accessible buses and rental wheelchairs ease family travel.
- Accommodation: Family-friendly hotels in Japan and Singapore provide cribs, kids’ meals, and childcare.
- Public Facilities: Denmark’s museums and Singapore’s gardens offer child-friendly spaces, ensuring stress-free family experiences.
- National Policies: Countries like Japan and Denmark provide robust child welfare, including free healthcare and subsidies, benefiting both residents and visitors.
The UNICEF Child-Friendly Cities Initiative, adopted by over 3,500 cities globally, integrates children’s rights into urban planning, creating inclusive environments for families.
Conclusion: A Human-Centric Future
Pedestrian-friendly and family-friendly urban planning are pillars of modern cities. By prioritizing safety, accessibility, and sustainability, Taiwan can address its “pedestrian hell” reputation and move toward a “Vision Zero” future. For travelers, choosing pedestrian-friendly destinations ensures safe, enjoyable experiences. With comprehensive infrastructure, stricter enforcement, and cultural shifts, Taiwan can transform its streets into vibrant, inclusive spaces for all.
