Improving traffic safety on roads of all sizes! Taichung City Government has overcome the challenge of narrow intersections or alleys where traffic signals are difficult to install by implementing bright road signs that display "Side Traffic Approaching" or "Culvert Traffic Approaching," serving as the public's "watchful eye" to provide real-time traffic flow warnings. The Transportation Bureau stated that the smart road sign system uses LED panels, ensuring clear visibility at night. The pilot program has already been installed in Wufeng, Daya, Longjing, Tanzi, and Dadu areas and has received positive recognition. Last year, installations expanded to 35 additional locations, bringing the total to 41 intersections. Planning continues to enhance safety at unsignalized intersections and create a friendly, safe road environment.

The Transportation Bureau noted that Taichung City's population has exceeded 2.86 million, increasing pedestrian and vehicle traffic. To enhance road user safety, beyond installing traffic signals based on traffic volume and road conditions, the Transportation Bureau has conducted in-depth surveys of narrow roads and alleys to select suitable locations for bright road signs. This addresses traffic accidents occurring at unsignalized locations with narrow road widths and in alleys. These signs help prevent situations where drivers of vehicles and motorcycles traveling through narrow intersections or alleys cannot see approaching traffic, thereby reducing accident risks. The bright road signs quickly provide real-time, precise traffic information to improve potentially dangerous road sections.

Transportation Bureau Director Chao-Fu Yeh mentioned that unsignalized intersections primarily exist between urban alleys, where road environments often feature narrow widths and obstructed visibility, limiting intersection sight distance. The Transportation Bureau has integrated technology to establish a smart road sign system using radar and microwave technology to detect approaching vehicles. This information is transmitted to LED panels on side roads, which flash warning text messages such as "Side Traffic Approaching" to provide real-time warnings for road users to be cautious of approaching vehicles. This also compensates for the reduced visibility of traditional warning signs in alleys at night due to insufficient lighting.

Director Yeh pointed out that beyond the commonly seen "Side Traffic Approaching" message, the warning text displayed on bright road signs also considers the context and road conditions of the installation locations. Appropriate text is designed and display information is flexibly adjusted according to local conditions, such as "Oncoming Traffic," "Drive Carefully," or "Culvert Traffic Approaching" for traffic pre-warning content. This compensates for locations where signals are challenging to install, effectively alerting road users.

Director Yeh explained that intersections with narrow road widths are often restricted by geographical environment, road conditions, and traffic flow factors, making it challenging to control intersections with signal facilities. Although traditional sign panels have been used to enhance warnings, some intersections still have deficiencies. Installing bright road signs further strengthens warnings and improves safety at unsignalized intersections. The Transportation Bureau installed 6 bright road signs between 2022 and 2023, and due to their effectiveness, expanded to 35 more intersections in 2024, bringing the current total to 41 locations, with plans for continued installation.

The Transportation Bureau stated that bright road signs allow the public to receive intuitive safety reminders quickly. After installations in Wufeng, Daya, Longjing, Tanzi, and Dadu areas, the bureau continues to review suitable installation locations, aiming to reduce potential dangers at unsignalized intersections, ensure driving safety and a friendly intersection environment, and build Taichung as a happy, livable city with good transportation.

Contact Information:
Ms. Jiang
Taichung City Government Transportation Bureau
Tel: 04-22289111 ext. 60453