【Kaohsiung News】
To provide visually impaired citizens with greater freedom of movement throughout the city, the Transportation Bureau of Kaohsiung City Government announced that it will install 11 additional accessible audible pedestrian signals this year. This initiative not only builds on last year’s achievements, but also specifically targets key intersections near the Kaohsiung Music Center, National Stadium, and major Kaohsiung Metro stations. Through precise audible guidance, the project aims to help visually impaired pedestrians cross streets more safely and with greater confidence, while further advancing an inclusive and user-friendly transportation network.
Many citizens are familiar with the “chirping” or “cuckoo” sounds heard at intersections. These sounds serve as an “electronic navigation aid” for visually impaired pedestrians. The Transportation Bureau explained that audible pedestrian signals emit guidance sounds during the pedestrian green phase to help visually impaired users determine when it is safe to cross. Different sounds are used for different directions of travel—bird calls for east-west crossings, cuckoo calls for north-south crossings, and cricket sounds for exclusive pedestrian phases—enabling users to identify crossing directions and significantly reducing the risk of conflicts with vehicles.
The Transportation Bureau emphasized that installation sites are not selected at random, but are user-oriented. The Bureau has invited disability rights groups and academic experts to conduct on-site inspections, with planning based on the actual walking routes and needs of visually impaired pedestrians.
Priority installation sites for 2026 include arts and tourism hotspots, such as areas surrounding the Kaohsiung Music Center and National Stadium; transportation transfer hubs, including exits of major Kaohsiung Metro stations with high passenger volumes; and medical and social welfare facilities, including areas around institutions with ongoing rehabilitation or public service needs.
In response to public concerns regarding noise, the Transportation Bureau noted that current audible pedestrian signals are equipped with intelligent volume control, which automatically adjusts according to ambient sound levels, and include timer settings, such as reduced volume at night. This ensures that visually impaired pedestrians can clearly hear the signals while also maintaining the living quality of nearby residents.
The Transportation Bureau concluded, “Building an inclusive city must begin with attention to even the smallest footsteps.” Moving forward, the Bureau will continue expanding the coverage of audible pedestrian signals and calls on all road users to exercise greater patience and refrain from unnecessary horn use, working together with the city government to create a safe and friendly transportation environment in Kaohsiung.
