Mayor’s remarks:
I ask the Civil Affairs Bureau to compile information on community activity centers that have yet to be established and report the results to me.
Announcements
1. The Bureau of Transportation’s report on the results of initiatives to improve road construction facilities (refer to written sources for details)
Decision: Approved for reference filing
Mayor’s remarks:
(1) With the development of tourism and an aging population (the number of adults aged over 65 has grown by more than 40,000 in recent years), there is greater demand for pedestrian space in cities. I ask the Bureau of Transportation to promote pedestrian-friendly traffic systems and install pedestrian signs near large venues, hospitals, transportation hubs, and other important facilities. For visitors from outside of Tainan, pedestrian signs help with navigating the city. The Bureau of Transportation should also leverage funding and establish pedestrian signs at major intersections.
(2) Many main roads in Tainan, such as Simen Road, are quite narrow, which creates bottlenecks. I ask the Bureau of Transportation to add left turn lanes or traffic signs to ease congestion. Please avoid widening the roads, as doing so may further impact traffic conditions and the public.
(3) Be it funding from the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program or the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, a fixed amount is reserved for traffic signage. In addition to leveraging the funds that we regularly receive from the Central Government, the municipal government should also proactively propose plans to secure further funding. The BPN for road markings in Tainan is higher than the standards set by the Central Government, a feat that should be recognized. A higher BPN helps prevent cars from skidding or pedestrians from slipping and falling, which then decreases traffic accidents caused by road markings. With this, I would like to thank the Bureau of Transportation for its excellent work.
2. The Police Department’s report on the status quo and future prospects of incorporating technology into traffic enforcement (refer to written sources for details)
Decision: Approved for reference filing
Mayor’s remarks:
(1) The goal of law enforcement is to educate the public so that people abide by laws and regulations, rendering punishment unnecessary. Incorporating technology into law enforcement is more about deterring violations rather than punishment. In other words, combining technology with law enforcement is about encouraging drivers and pedestrians to follow traffic rules, which then decreases the number of traffic accidents and minimizes casualties. By doing so, we can keep the public safe. If everyone follows traffic rules, the quality of society and transportation can be improved, and loss of life and property can also be minimized.
(2) The implementation of electronic fines can reduce human error. I anticipate that the use of technology will aid the Bureau of Transportation and The Police Department in maintaining and improving traffic conditions in Tainan.