Suwon Installs Ground-Level Pedestrian Traffic Signals at 20 Locations Including Gwanggyo Central Road Intersection

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Suwon City announced on the 2nd that it has installed ground-level pedestrian traffic signals at 20 crosswalks within the city to prevent traffic accidents caused by "smombies" and to discourage jaywalking.

From March to December last year, Suwon City installed ground-level pedestrian traffic signals at crosswalks in front of Gwanggyo Central Road intersection, Suwon City Hall, Bidan Village intersection, Homaesildoby Library intersection, Jangan-gu Office intersection, Gwanggyo Central Station T-junction, Juan-mal intersection, Nahyeseok Street, and Yeongdeung Library, as well as in front of 11 elementary schools including Hwahyang Elementary School.

LED (light-emitting diode) pedestrian traffic signals were embedded at the end of the sidewalk in front of the crosswalk. When the green signal of the traffic light turns on, the ground-level pedestrian traffic signal also lights up. Pedestrians who are looking down can now recognize the signal and safely cross the crosswalk. Additionally, nighttime drivers can more easily see pedestrians standing in front of the crosswalk.

Around the pedestrian traffic signals, "Sign-blocks" have been installed on the sidewalk to inform pedestrians of the "No Jaywalking" rule.

The city plans to analyze the effectiveness of the ground-level pedestrian traffic signals and then select target locations for next year's project in consultation with related agencies including the police department.

"Smombie" is a portmanteau of smartphone and zombie, referring to people who walk while looking at their smartphones without paying attention to their surroundings. According to a recent research result, approximately 70% of people use smartphones while walking.

Yang Gyeong-hwan, head of the Suwon Urban Safety Integration Center, said, "Ground-level pedestrian traffic signals provide additional pedestrian signal information to smombies and other pedestrians, helping prevent traffic accidents. We will continue to create a safe traffic environment for pedestrians."