The Taipei City Government this week unveiled a pilot program testing new traffic rules aimed at “optimizing pedestrian flow in the era of digital distraction.” Officials say the initiative was prompted by concerns that slower crossings may affect both traffic efficiency and Taiwan’s international competitiveness.
Among the most controversial measures is the introduction of a dedicated lane for what the city government now refers to as “phone zombies” — pedestrians who walk while looking at their phones. “The term dītóuzú (低頭族, literally “head-down tribe”) no longer accurately reflects just how completely detached from their surroundings these individuals are,” says a Taipei Department of Transportation representative. “After internal discussion, jiāngshī dītóuzú (殭屍低頭族, “phone zombies”) is the current agreed upon term.”
Painted icons depicting a downward-facing gaze now appear at select intersections in Xinyi and Da’an districts, guiding distracted walkers into a clearly marked channel.
“We debated whether to call it a ‘digital safety corridor,’ but several heated public townhalls showed that residents preferred straightforward terminology,” says the transportation official. “If someone is going to read LINE messages while crossing the street, we would at least like them to do it in a predictable direction.”
Early feedback suggests the lane has become particularly popular among office workers reviewing presentations moments before meetings and couples in intense messaging arguments. A visiting consultant from Copenhagen reportedly praised the initiative as “a rare example of infrastructure that meets people exactly where their attention already is.”
The city has also begun testing dramatically extended green-light intervals in neighborhoods identified as having slower pedestrian movement. At several intersections near traditional markets, signals now remain green for up to 300 seconds, a move officials say supports both seniors and residents who “prefer to cross at a contemplative pace.”
This move has caused upset among residents who already struggle with the previous 90-second red lights ubiquitous in Taipei. According to Taipei City Police data, 23 pedestrians were cited last year for damaging or throwing nearby phones after waiting through multiple signal cycles.
“If I have to stand in 35-degree heat and 90% humidity for 300 seconds, I might end up just stepping into traffic to put an end to my misery,” says Oliver Crosswell, a British national who has resided in Taipei for six years. “At some point you stop waiting for the light to change and start questioning your life choices,” he adds.
Other critics argue that the extended lights risk encouraging pedestrians to start full-length phone calls midway through crossings. One district councilor acknowledges the concern but says the policy will be evaluated “after residents have had sufficient time to finish scrolling.”
Speed demons
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Xinyi’s business district is piloting speed lanes designed to help faster walkers reach office towers with minimal delay. Narrow arrow-shaped paths guide pedestrians across major intersections, accompanied by signage encouraging what planners call “strategic walking behavior.”
According to internal transport department estimates, 37 pedestrian speed collision incidents were recorded last year in Xinyi alone. A preliminary review of CCTV footage identified 42 incidents in just the first three months of this year in which faster commuters collided with slower walkers who stopped abruptly.
A financial analyst who commutes through the area daily welcomed the change. “Previously, I was trapped behind someone comparing bubble tea prices on three different apps,” says Mei Nai-xin. “Now I can reach my building before the elevator line forms, which may be the greatest productivity reform since online meeting links.”
Scooter courtesy zones have also been introduced at several pilot intersections, requiring riders to stop within clearly marked “reflection boxes” set back from crosswalks. Officials say the zones improve visibility while offering riders a brief moment to consider life choices — or check delivery notifications — before proceeding.
Tourist-heavy areas such as Ximending have been designated “slow zones,” where longer crossing times aim to accommodate visitors pausing for photos, directions, or contemplating whether the pedestrian infrastructure is a roadblock to living in Taiwan.
The pilot program will culminate in a citywide crossing drill later this year, during which participants will be guided across intersections by volunteer “Crosswalk Captains” using synchronized countdown cues. Officials say the exercise is intended to build a sense of collective rhythm, although early rehearsals reportedly struggled when captains stopped midway to reply to messages.
Urban policy observers have praised Taipei’s willingness to experiment with unconventional solutions. “Cities around the world are grappling with distracted walking,” says a behavioral consultant advising the project. “Taipei is simply the first to acknowledge that pedestrians now operate on two timelines — the physical street and the digital feed.”
Officials stress that all measures remain experimental and will be reviewed after a public consultation period of half a day.
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