To enhance intersection traffic safety, the Transportation Bureau of Kaohsiung City Government implemented signal timing adjustments at two intersections starting July 1. These are: the intersection of County Highway No.188 and Section 2, Guangming Road in Daliao District, and the intersection of Jhongjheng Road with Dapi Road and Shennong Road in Niaosong District. The eastbound and westbound signals at the Daliao intersection, which previously operated concurrently, have been adjusted to an alternating phase system with only one direction receiving a green signal at a time. Similarly, the northbound and southbound signals at the Niaosong intersection were converted to the same alternating phase operation. These changes aim to reduce collisions caused by turning vehicles failing to yield to oncoming traffic.
The Transportation Bureau explained that analysis of crash data at both intersections revealed that most collisions were side-impact crashes resulting from left-turning vehicles not yielding to oncoming through traffic. At the intersection of County Highway 188 and Guangming Road, located beneath the Expressway No. 88 viaduct, limited visibility due to the viaduct pillars has contributed to 12 such crashes over the past three years. As geometric constraints prevent the addition of a left-turn pocket lane, drivers often fail to see oncoming vehicles when making left turns, resulting in collisions.
To address this, the signal operation was changed from concurrent eastbound and westbound green lights to an alternating phase. Vehicles traveling westbound toward Daliao are now given a dedicated green phase before switching to eastbound traffic toward Fongshan. Based on traffic volume surveys and simulation evaluations, the level of service at the intersection remains unaffected. On-site observation by personnel from both the Transportation Bureau and the Police Department confirmed that traffic flow is operating smoothly.
As for the intersection of Jhongjheng Road with Dapi and Shennong Roads in Niaosong District, it serves as a major traffic hub connecting Renwu, Fongshan, Niaosong, and Pingtung. It features heavy and imbalanced left-turn volumes, and significant geometric variation across all four approaches. The recent adjustment alternates green lights for northbound and southbound traffic along Jhongjheng Road to reduce conflicts between left-turning vehicles and oncoming through traffic. The Transportation Bureau has further plans to improve the intersection through roadway engineering, including securing central government funding to construct dedicated bidirectional left-turn lanes and implement protected left-turn signal phases.
The Transportation Bureau noted that current evaluations show post-adjustment operational performance at both intersections is comparable to previous conditions. As motorists require time to adapt to the new signal operations, additional police officers have been deployed for on-site guidance. Changeable Message Signs (CMS) in the vicinity are also being used to alert drivers to the changes. The Transportation Bureau will continue to monitor traffic flow and make rolling adjustments to signal design as needed. Road users are urged to comply with signal indications to jointly create a safer and smoother traffic environment.
