One More Signal... Gwacheon Cuts Maximum Pedestrian Waiting Time by 20 Seconds

Gwacheon City is conducting a pilot operation of repeated pedestrian signals at intersections to alleviate the inconvenience felt by residents who tediously wait for pedestrian signals at crosswalks.

Repeated pedestrian signals are an operational method that divides pedestrian signals into two instances instead of providing them only once per signal cycle. Previously, pedestrians who missed the signal during congested hours had to wait over three minutes for the next signal.

This pilot operation maintains existing vehicle green light times while providing divided pedestrian signals. The aim is to minimize the impact on vehicle traffic and secure time for pedestrians to cross safely.

Following coordination with Gwacheon Police Station, Gwacheon City will pilot the repeated pedestrian signal at three signalized intersections starting from the 11th. The city anticipates that situations involving jaywalking and rushing to cross before the signal ends will be reduced.

The city announced that it selected pilot operation intersections after reviewing pedestrian volume and waiting time, the impact of pedestrian crossings on right-turning vehicles, the feasibility of operating pedestrian signals twice within a signal cycle, and whether safe crossing time can be secured.

The three intersections where repeated pedestrian signals will be piloted are the main entrances of Prugio Rabian O, the main entrances of Gwacheon Central Suite and Gwacheon Central Park Prugio Summit, and in front of D-Tech. Repeated signals will be applied only to crosswalks in the right-turn direction at each intersection.

The D-Tech intersection sees over 500 pedestrians crossing hourly during rush hours, with average waiting times of 92 seconds (maximum 206 seconds). The city analyzed that the introduction of repeated pedestrian signals will reduce pedestrian waiting time by approximately 10 seconds each at the Prugio Rabian O main entrance intersection and the Gwacheon Central Suite-Gwacheon Central Park Prugio Summit main entrance intersection, and by approximately 20 seconds at the D-Tech intersection.

Mayor Shin Gye-yong of Gwacheon City said, "When waiting time in front of crosswalks decreases, daily commuting for residents will become much more convenient, and reckless crossings will also be reduced," adding, "We will comprehensively analyze the pilot operation results and gradually expand the pedestrian-oriented signal system."