Tainan trials light-in-the-dark zebra crossings to boost safety

Tainan trials light-in-the-dark zebra crossings to boost safety

2026-04-23

A striking new road safety feature is turning heads in Tainan, where several crosswalks now light up at night whenever pedestrians step onto them at night. The system incorporates sensors to detect people crossing to activate two strips of LED lights at either side to clearly outline the walking area, and is being piloted at four busy intersections. Locals say the new zebra crossings make pedestrians far more visible in the dark. With testing nearly complete, the city plans to expand the initiative if the results are positive.

A pedestrian crossing the street is suddenly surrounded by red stripes, making them easy to see at night.

Resident
Tainan
It’s pretty cool! It helps you see better at night, especially pedestrians, so it’s safer.

This high-tech zebra crossing was introduced by the Tainan City Government to improve pedestrian safety at busy intersections. Whenever the system detects a pedestrian, two LED strips on the ground at both sides of the crosswalk light up to alert oncoming vehicles.

Resident
Tainan
It helps you see pedestrians better at night. It’s very useful.

Right turns often cause blind spots. So now, the system projects a reminder on the ground warning drivers to look out for pedestrians and slow down.

Liu Kun-ho
Tainan Bureau of Transportation
The projections remind drivers turning right to look out for pedestrians at the crossing, and to be extra careful. We’re trialing the system for now, and the tests for both hardware and software have wrapped up. The system should be fully operational this weekend.

The flashy crosswalks are being piloted at four intersections in Anping, Guiren and Yanshui. If they prove to be effective, the system could be expanded to other areas of the city to boost pedestrian safety.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#safety #walkablecities #pedestriansafety #pedestrian #tainan

行人通過就發光! 台南市府試辦"投影警示系統"

2026-04-23

台南街頭出現馬路奇景，最近有民眾發現，走在斑馬線上，周邊會亮起鮮紅燈光線條，吸引用路人目光。原來這是台南市府，在4個重要路口，試辦的投影警示系統，只要系統偵測有行人穿越，地面LED嵌條就會發光，提醒前方有行人，讓夜間行車更安全。

行人走在斑馬線上，周邊突然亮起紅色燈光線條，在夜晚的街道上，特別醒目。

[[民眾]]
“我覺得這個蠻酷的啊，感覺晚上看得比較清楚啊，對於行人的部份比較清楚，比較安全一點”

這是台南市府，為了讓行人走在馬路上更安全，在車流量大的路口，導入高科技設備，試辦投影警示系統，只要系統偵測到行人正在穿越斑馬線，地面LED燈條就會框出行走範圍，還會發光，提醒來往車輛注意。

[[民眾]]
“這樣晚上在騎(車)的時候比較看得到，行人會比較明顯，還蠻實用的”

車輛右轉時，容易有視線上的死角，系統也透過投影燈光，在地面投射"小心行人"的文字，讓駕駛從遠方就能看見，提前減速。

[[台南市交通局交通管制科長劉昆和]]
“特別是我們利用投影的方式，提醒右轉的車輛，在通過路口的時候可以注意，前方路口有行人要穿越，要更加的小心，試辦的話，目前硬體設備跟軟體的測試都已經告一個段落，應該在這個週末就可以完成這次啟用”

台南市府目前在安平、歸仁，以及鹽水等四處路口，試辦智慧路口計畫，未來會視推廣成效，擴大到全台南，讓行人能有條更安全的路。

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民視台灣台（152頻道）週一至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

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King of wax apples develops colorful new varieties

Wax apple king Wang Jui-hsiung founded the Black Diamond wax apple brand over 20 years ago. Since then, he’s continued developing dozens of new varieties, five of which are now produced for the market, including one that’s snow-white, another that’s twice the size of a normal wax apple, and another that’s emerald green and shaped like a bullet. They’re certainly wax apples like you’ve never seen before.

A farmer holds fruit as white as snow. Can you tell what it is?

Wang Jui-hsiung
Wax apple king
People generally think of wax apples as being more red. The White Carrie is also a mutated variety. It’s bright, flawless, glittering, and translucent.

These huge wax apples are another new variety, nearly twice the size of a standard wax apple.

Wang Jui-hsiung
Wax apple king
We kept improving previous wax apple varieties that were smaller until we got one this big. It has a higher water content and is very sweet.

Known as the wax apple king, Wang Jui-hsiung developed the Black Diamond wax apple over 20 years ago, which former presidents Lee Teng-hui and Chen Shui-bian both gave as gifts. Refusing to rest on his laurels, he continued to develop dozens of varieties, five of which are now for sale on the market. They’re bright and colorful, coming in white, green, red, and even purple. Surprisingly, a typhoon helped create these varieties.

Wang Jui-hsiung
Wax apple king
Eight years ago, Typhoon Megi hit Taiwan from the Hengchun Peninsula and swept away my entire orchard, which had different varieties in each area. It wiped them all out. Then when I started recultivating, lots of different varieties started growing at the same time. I realized that the result of combining all these different varieties together was truly stunning. It was vibrant and colorful.

Wang took over his father’s wax apple orchard in 1988. Cooperating with government policies, he became the first wax apple farmer in Taiwan to bag their fruit, which protects them from insects and birds without the need for pesticides.

- If you open what’s known as the skylight, there’s cellophane here so you can see the fruit is still growing. The fruit is only in its mid-stage.

Wang Jui-hsiung
Wax apple king
I’m always improving variety to create new business opportunities. For example, if someone sends them to three friends, at least two will call back and want to order some too.

By constantly refining wax apples, Wang found an uncontested space in the market and built his own uncontested wax apple empire.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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2026-04-23

Kaohsiung library renovations reveal Japanese-era township office

Seismic retrofitting work at the Caogong branch of the Kaohsiung Public Library has uncovered historical remains believed to be part of the original Fengshan Township Office, dating back nearly a century. Kaohsiung City Councilor Lin Chih-hung inspected the site with local heritage groups and submitted a petition calling to preserve and showcase its historical significance.

People gather at this construction site to examine a historically significant brick, marked with the letters “TR” and a diamond pattern.

Chen Kun-yi
Takao Renaissance Association director
It confirms that many parts of the wall next to it still bear traces of the Japanese colonial period.

The Caogong branch of the Kaohsiung Public Library is being renovated to improve its earthquake resistance. A section of wall that was broken open revealed the outline of an arch, with layers of red bricks stacked around it. Local historians confirmed that it is part of the original structure of the Fengshan Township Office from nearly a century ago.

- This area around the arch used very popular bricks from that time.

Kaohsiung City Councilor Lin Chih-hung and civic groups have called for the structural strengthening work not to damage historically significant parts of the building, such as the original brick. They hope the renovations can preserve and restore the site’s original appearance as much as possible.

Lin Chih-hung
Kaohsiung City Councilor (DPP)
We hope that future projects like this could more thoroughly assess the existing conditions to determine how much of the original structure of the township office remains today.

Chien Mei-ling
Kaohsiung Cultural Affairs Bureau deputy director
Our priority at this stage is the seismic strengthening work. Once the building is completed, it will continue to function as a library. We will also work together to continue promoting local historical and cultural initiatives.

Councilor Lin’s office used AI to turn old photographs of the building into a video showing its transformation from a Japanese-era administrative building into a library. Civic groups hope that the building’s original architecture can be preserved, and its historical significance showcased.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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2026-04-23

Bitan residents concerned, cautiously optimistic as controversial stinky tofu shop move

Over a year ago, a famous stinky tofu restaurant from Hualien opened a location in Taipei’s Dazhi, eliciting complaints from nearby residents who said the smell was unbearable. It was repeatedly reported to authorities and one person even said they were losing their hair from the stress. Now the shop seems to be opening another location in New Taipei’s Bitan, with residents taking note of the sign already hung outside. Some are concerned about the stench, but other shopkeepers are hopeful that having a famous restaurant in Bitan could bring the crowds back.

Yang Ssu-min
FTV reporter
People love to come here to Bitan for its beautiful natural scenery and fresh air. But that peace was broken recently by a sign that went up for a restaurant from Hualien infamous for its stinky tofu.

Just seeing the sign has sparked intense debate. That’s because the residents near its other location in Dazhi couldn’t stand the smell, with one person even claiming they were going bald because of the stress. The residents filed over 100 complaints with the city, resulting in NT$580,000 in fines.

Member of public
Stinky tofu is naturally smelly. Those who like it, like it. Those who don’t, don’t.

Member of public
It isn’t that close to any homes. The smell might not reach them.

Member of public
I think it’ll be really difficult for the people living around here. For those who don’t live nearby, they’ll just think it’s nice to have another option.

Some people are worried about the smell, but others say it won’t be a problem since it’s a standalone building next to the bridge and far away from residences. At the moment, the shop is still under renovation, with construction materials and large ventilation pipes propped up by the entrance.

Neighboring business owner
There’s been pretty active construction across the street. They’ll likely put in ventilation, since the nearby businesses like us and neighbors will complain. But a new business coming in could attract more visitors.

Neighboring business owner
No one’s been there for a while. Over the past 10 years it’s changed owners a bunch of times. Even when the landlord tried running it, it didn’t go well. It closed pretty quickly. It’s too expensive. The rent is at least NT$100,000.

Nearby shop owners say that the crowds in Bitan aren’t what they used to be, while rents are also expensive. The building has gone through four or five owners, but none could sustain the business. It remains to be seen whether this well-known stinky tofu shop will be able to bring in the crowds, or just a chorus of complaints from the neighbors.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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GPS takes Yilan tourist down narrow, winding road

On their way to a famous scallion pancake spot in Yilan, one tourist took the wrong exit ramp off the highway and ended up driving on an incredibly narrow, windy road. Lost and reliant on the GPS, the road it led them to was only 3 meters wide, with a wall on one side and field on the other. It was a stressful experience for the driver, but thankfully they arrived safely at their destination.

A car slows down and stops as it navigates sharp turns along a challenging road, worried about driving off the edge and into the field. The road is incredibly narrow and winding, but it’s too late to turn back now.

Member of public
Would keep going
If you’re already on the road, then it’s too late to turn around. You just have to bite your lip and keep going. The road is too narrow to turn around. It’s very stressful to drive down in a large car. You might fall off the side.

Member of public
Would go around
I would choose not to turn onto the road at the intersection. I would go around or take a different road.

This road next to the highway in Toucheng really tests drivers’ skills. The driver who took the video was on their way to a famous scallion pancake shop when they took the wrong exit off the highway, taking the right ramp instead of the left. Their GPS sent them down this 3-meter-wide road, with a wall on one side and field on the other.

Member of public
Accepts is as part of life
It happens sometimes! When we take a wrong turn and the GPS finds a new route, we’re more likely to get stuck in this kind of situation.

Member of public
Brings a map along
It’s easy to end up on this kind of road in more remote areas, so I always make sure I have a map and look it over, then choose the best route.

There were five or six cars behind the driver in this case, so at least they weren’t in this alone. Thankfully, they all made it safely to their destination after this unexpected adventure.

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US Indo-Pacific Commander warns Taiwan must pass special defense budget

US lawmakers have in recent weeks repeatedly urged Taiwan to pass its NT$1.25 trillion special defense budget bill, the majority of which is allocated for US arms purchases. On April 21, the US Indo-Pacific Commander Samuel Paparo told senators during a committee hearing that Taiwan must show the resolve to defend itself, including with commitment to defense spending. He also stressed the importance of a US victory over Iran in the ongoing war to effectively deter a Chinese military attack on Taiwan.

As Taiwan’s special defense budget bill remains stalled at the legislature, the US Indo-Pacific Commander Samuel Paparo has warned Taiwan that it must show the resolve to defend itself, including with commitment to defense spending.

Samuel Paparo (April 21)
US Indo-Pacific Commander
We can’t want Taiwan’s defense more than they want it itself, and it’s not a chicken and the egg, because you’re not going to get chicken or eggs if you starve the chicken, so it’s very important for them to fund their own defense.

When asked whether a recent visit to China by KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun could affect Taiwan’s defense spending, Paparo answered that Taiwan’s decisions would speak for itself.

Samuel Paparo (April 21)
US Indo-Pacific Commander
I think the proof will be in the pudding. The passage of this special defense budget will tell us how committed they are. Taiwan’s polling is orders of magnitude above that, leading me to positively assert their willingness to defend themselves.

He added that a US victory over Iran would be effective in deterring China from launching a military attack on Taiwan. He also expressed confidence in the US outmatching China.

Samuel Paparo (April 21)
US Indo-Pacific Commander
And all things being equal, the mass deployment and employment of cheap, expendable munitions will favor defensive so long as we pursue it fully, with mass, with numbers, with sustainability and with AI tools that enable us to command it and outmatch our potential adversaries.

Paparo emphasized that Taiwan remains a sensitive flashpoint between the US and China, and that the US Indo-Pacific Command will continue to support Taiwan in a way that’s outlined in the Taiwan Relations Act.

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Shoushan Zoo’s chimpanzees turn bookish on World Book Day

April 23 is World Book Day, and Shoushan Zoo in Kaohsiung is celebrating with their chimpanzees. Following last year’s success, the zoo has again, made special treats presented in a bookish design for human’s distant relatives. They’ve turned recycled cardboard into book covers and newspaper pages, and made slits on the inward facing side for sunflower seeds. The chimps were so delighted by the treats, that they appear to be deeply engrossed in reading while feeding from the props, making for an amusing scene.

A chimpanzee carefully reads the newspaper, only to have it snatched away by another. Meanwhile, yet another seems completely engrossed in a picture book. Primary school kids watching them are impressed by their diligence.

Elementary school kid
Visiting Shoushan Zoo
Watching them read, I feel like I may never be as hardworking as they are.

It’s amusing to see chimpanzees read, and the audience favorite was probably this one, who appears to be reading newspaper job ads. The kids joke that the chimp may be sick of its current position and is looking for a new job.

Elementary school kid
Visiting Shoushan Zoo
It probably wants to quit and get a new job.

Elementary school kid
Visiting Shoushan Zoo
I wondered why it kept burying its head into the reading material. Maybe it wants a new job.

Liu Yin-chun
FTV reporter
The reading materials are special edible treats given to chimpanzees at Shoushan Zoo. All the inlaid sunflower seeds were placed by zookeepers themselves.

This is the second year Shoushan Zoo in Kaohsiung is making these book-shaped treats for their chimps on World Book Day. Slits for inserting sunflower seeds are cut on recycled cardboard and styled as various reading materials, making for a novel dining experience for the chimps. As for the design, the zoo got even more creative this year, as with the newspaper job ads, making for an amusing scene for visitors.

Lee Chien-ho
Shoushan Zoo
What makes this year even more special is that we made a prop after newspaper job ads. Good thing that chimpanzees are illiterate. If they were and could understand the job ads, we’re afraid they might all want to quit.

Even chimpanzees are eager to get their hands on a title this World Book Day, so why not pick up a book yourself, too?

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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