New Road Safety Initiatives

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will expand the roll-out of two road safety initiatives - Dashed Pedestrian Crossing Lines (DPCL) and Pedestrian Crossing Ahead Markings (PCAM), to more locations.

The two road safety measures, which help to make pedestrian crossings more conspicuous for motorists, were implemented on a pilot basis at selected locations last year as part of the Land Transport Master Plan. By making motorists more aware of pedestrian crossings, it would, in turn, improve the safety of pedestrians when they make use of these pedestrian crossing facilities.

LTA's monitoring and perception surveys conducted with drivers have showed that generally, the two measures have been effective in influencing motorists' behaviours as they approach pedestrian crossings.

[b]Dashed Pedestrian Crossing Lines(DPCL)[/b]
The DPCL are dashed lines that replace the current continuous lines at signalised pedestrian crossings. The dash lines provide a better contrast against the continuous stop line for vehicles. The distinctive designs allow motorists to differentiate between the two better and encourage them to comply with stopping behind the stop line. Motorists have given feedback that the DPCL is effective in helping them differentiate between the stop line and the pedestrian crossing.

The DPCL will be implemented progressively, starting with pedestrian crossings along six roads within the Central Business District (CBD), namely North Bridge Road, South Bridge Road, New Bridge Road, Eu Tong Sen Street, Hill Street and Victoria Street. Works have already started for these six roads and all pedestrian crossings along these roads will come with DPCL by June this year. All other pedestrian crossings within the CBD will come with the DPCL by 2011 and the rest of the island by 2014.

The DPCL also helps the visually impaired who are able to detect the broken lines with their walking sticks, which helps to guide them across the pedestrian crossing.

[b]Pedestrian Crossing Ahead Markings[/b]
The LTA will also introduce Pedestrian Cross Ahead Markings at more locations on the road network. The PCAM are inverted white triangular markings painted on the road and placed before selected zebra crossings where motorists have been observed to not give way to pedestrians, such as those after a bend. The markings come in pairs so as to give ample warning to motorists as they approach the zebra crossing.

The PCAM complements other advance warnings provided by existing safety features such as flashing beacons with black/yellow poles and white zigzag lines by the side of the road.

Credits: Jarvis