Thailand's 'floating' crosswalk makes drivers stop and look

By Prapan Chankaew

 

People paint a 3D pedestrian crossing in Kanchanaburi province, Thailand October 25, 2019. Picture taken October 25, 2019. REUTERS/Prapan Chankaew

 

BANGKOK/KANCHANABURI, Thailand (Reuters) - The Thai children walking on the zebra crossing look as if they are stepping from one white board, floating well above the road, to the next - but it is just an optical illusion, created by a volunteer group aimed at making roads safer for pedestrians.

 

Up close the trick of perspective is lost, but for any driver approaching the crossing the sight of people apparently walking on free floating white boards should make them slow to a stop.

 

The zebra crossing outside the main entrance to Wat Bueng Thong Lang school on the outskirts of Bangkok, was painted by students and volunteers, with funding from Thailand’s Government Savings Bank. During the past few months they have painted six near schools and temples, where there is always a heavy footfall, Natthapong Jiravijit, the project manager said.

 

 

Parent Uthit Sak-Udom, who drives his daughter to school each day, thinks it is a good idea.

 

“When I look at it, it looks like people are levitating above the road. It attracts my attention,” the 42-year-old dad said. “And I think the kids like to walk over it, as it makes them feel like they are walking on air.”

 

According to statistics from the past four years published this month by the National Health Security Office (NHSO) there were 10,672 accidents involving pedestrians in Thailand, and over 900 people died.

 

A survey done by Super Poll in 2016 reported that about 90 percent of 1,204 people surveyed said they felt ‘unsafe’ crossing a road, even when using a zebra crossing.

 

The group behind the novel approach to zebra crossings has at least three projects to complete in the next six weeks before the venture will be reviewed by the government bank to assess whether to extend further support.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-11-28

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Driver stopping for a pedestrian crossing in Thailand ???? 

 

Nah... Don't believe it !

3 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Driver stopping for a pedestrian crossing in Thailand ???? 

 

Nah... Don't believe it !

They should have painted some zebras crossing, rather than two kids. Even to Thai drivers it would make sense then...

The Mrs stops for dogs and monkeys but not for people

I wonder what it looks like coming from the other direction.

Well, it's fitting. Traffic safety in Thailand is a joke, why not the signs as well.

3 hours ago, wgdanson said:

I wonder what it looks like coming from the other direction.

Yes, I was wondering that too .. I like it tho’

 

 

This was probably more than their minds could comprehend. 

Very good idea but I think human brain would eventually adapt and not see them. 

I will be surprised if this doesn't cause more accidents. 

4 hours ago, Orton Rd said:

The Mrs stops for dogs and monkeys but not for people

I also stop for these.  

13 hours ago, wgdanson said:

I wonder what it looks like coming from the other direction.

You serious?

14 hours ago, Orton Rd said:

The Mrs stops for dogs and monkeys but not for people

You found a good girl !

52 minutes ago, ChrisY1 said:

You serious?

Yes I am. Think about it.

recom 273 is wondering about it too.

be distracting enough, that driver/riders diverts eyes down to gawk... not slowing down mind you! 

  - imagine the rest...

 

 

on the other hand, a Rider might simply Divert, and; bump bump bump, take the footpath escape route 

Company I sub contract to when I'm back in the UK during summer are starting trialing 3D crossing pads. They come pre formed and are easy to install .

“And I think the kids like to walk over it, as it makes them feel like they are walking on air.” Really? This illusion takes away all sense of reality even to the point where you can't feel the ground one is stepping on? Maybe someone should write a sequel to Alice in Wonderland ... '...in Thailand'.

Why do they insist on putting crossing right on the junctions ?

Put them back 10 foot or so. Not so far to cross. and people coming off a main road will actually see there's a crossing before they are on it.

Might not help, but you never know.

A 3D brick wall would good to stand back and watch! 

 

 

- or Grand Canyon

(I'd settle for a SinkHole) 

Here in Chiang Mai the crossing markings are so faded and dirty they are difficult to see during day time and virtually impossible at night for any drivers approaching them.

They need cleaning / repainting.

If it works go for it.... zebra crossings as they are certainly don't so something has to change.

 

20 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

If it works go for it.... zebra crossings as they are certainly don't so something has to change.

 

Problem is they only work the first time.

1 minute ago, josephbloggs said:

Problem is they only work the first time.

Which if it saves a life is worth the effort!

Doing nothing achieves nothing!

How long before a driver thinks it’s a real obstruction and slams on the brakes causing a huge pile up behind him. Not smart. 

2 hours ago, ChrisY1 said:

You serious?

Tell me when you are going to do this, I want to get my camera on to record you coming the other way. Need some money from the Traffic police.

Maybe they could build a real 'raised' zebra crossing at an unannounced location and establish how many drivers cross it at speed. That will certainly tell them whether it works effectively or not.

 

The problem would be to keep a replacement stock numbering hundreds of thousands of them readily available in the locality on a daily basis. 

 

In the long term, even Thai drivers might think twice.......

Amd the numbers of cars wrecked would certainly reduce traffic on the roads.

Ahhh. wishful thinking!

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

making roads safer for pedestrians.

I am absolutely not of the opinion that this type of "art" makes the roads safer!

19 minutes ago, Bundooman said:

Maybe they could build a real 'raised' zebra crossing at an unannounced location and establish how many drivers cross it at speed. That will certainly tell them whether it works effectively or not (...)

Or larger than average speed bumps in front of the crossings, to force drivers to slow down...

5 minutes ago, 30la said:

I am absolutely not of the opinion that this type of "art" makes the roads safer!

Agreed... it's just a passing 'cute' response from those who try, but ultimately the 'position and power' to ensure those responsible for enforcing laws do so. 

 

The underlying problems are lack of training, extremely poor consideration for others and an absolute lack of enforcement and adequate fines - the same issues which underly all of Thailands road woes. 

 

 

 

 

1 minute ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Or larger than average speed bumps in front of the crossings to force drivers to slow down...

Speed bumps work, they are an absolutely necessary traffic calming measure on todays roads. 

They are the only things which do work with any level of consistency.