New Diagonal Crosswalks in X Shape Installed at 25 Locations Including Jongno 1-ga, Seoul

The appearance after the installation of the diagonal crosswalk in front of the Jongno 1-ga Jongno-gu Office entrance.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 6th that it will install diagonal crosswalks at 25 locations throughout Seoul in collaboration with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency by the end of the year, allowing citizens to cross not only in the traditional straight directions but also diagonally.

Following a pilot project in April this year that installed a diagonal crosswalk in front of the main gate of Yonsei University, diagonal crosswalks were opened at 18 locations in July and August, including in front of Jungnang-gu Office, Mapo Prugio, and the Daehan Building, and in November at Jongno 1-ga (Jongno-gu Office entrance), Jogyesa Temple entrance, Cheonggye 3-ga and 4-ga, Geumcheon Star Valley, and in front of Eunpyeong Lotte Mall intersections.

On the 10th, a diagonal crosswalk will be opened at the intersection near Ichon Geonyeong Apartments in Yongsan-gu, and by the end of the year, diagonal crosswalks will be opened at the Sinja Elementary School entrance intersection in Gwangjin-gu, MPalis Wedding Hall in Mapo-gu, and Hongdae clubs in Mapo-gu, respectively.

Diagonal crosswalks are pedestrian-friendly traffic facilities that provide separate pedestrian-only signals, allowing pedestrians to cross in their desired direction in one go. They shorten crossing times, improve pedestrian satisfaction, and prevent traffic accidents within crosswalks by stopping all vehicles at the intersection. However, vehicle passing times through intersections may increase slightly.

The city is currently designing 26 candidate sites for next year’s project to expand the installation of diagonal crosswalks. In particular, areas with many vulnerable pedestrians such as children and the elderly (protected zones) will prioritize pedestrian convenience and safety, and the project will proceed in consultation with related agencies.

Hwang Bo-yeon, Director of Urban Transportation at Seoul City, said, "Diagonal crosswalks are an important project prioritizing pedestrian safety and convenience, and will be installed first at locations with high foot traffic and many pedestrian-inducing facilities. Additionally, we will simultaneously improve existing crosswalk inconveniences and continue to promote a walkable city and people-centered transportation policies."