By KHT Staff. AI illustration image.
KAOHSIUNG — City Councilor Ho Chuan-feng (何權峰) has called for better road markings after warning that rain can make lane lines difficult to see, particularly at night.
During a city council interpellation on Sept. 22, Ho asked the city to evaluate “all-weather reflective road markings” currently used in Taipei and New Taipei. He also cited AI-controlled streetlights in Taoyuan that adjust based on real-time weather and surface reflection data. Ho suggested Kaohsiung try these on selected road sections to improve safety.
Transportation Bureau Director Chang Shu-chuan (張淑娟) stated that all-weather reflective markings cost 10 times more than traditional markings. She noted that Taipei has only tested the markings on specific road sections, and Kaohsiung is currently monitoring the results. Chang added that Taoyuan’s AI lighting system is new technology requiring further study.
Chang said rain forms a reflective water film over the markings, making them hard to see. She stated that while raised reflective pavement markers, commonly called cat’s eyes (貓眼), improve visibility, they pose a slipping hazard for scooters and cannot be placed in designated scooter lanes.
The bureau plans to add reflective markers along lane-dividing lines between fast and slow traffic lanes. It has not yet selected a solution for sections where the markers could create a slipping hazard for scooter riders.
