snoop1130 Posted November 28, 2019 Share Posted November 28, 2019 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. 2019-11-28T172855Z_1_LOV000LDZ5VAR_RTRMADV_STREAM-2000-16X9-MP4_THAILAND-3D-CROSSING-MOBILE-READY.MP4 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 Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking Thailand news and visa info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard_smith237 Posted November 28, 2019 Share Posted November 28, 2019 Driver stopping for a pedestrian crossing in Thailand ???? Nah... Don't believe it ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StayinThailand2much Posted November 28, 2019 Share Posted November 28, 2019 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... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orton Rd Posted November 28, 2019 Share Posted November 28, 2019 The Mrs stops for dogs and monkeys but not for people Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wgdanson Posted November 28, 2019 Share Posted November 28, 2019 I wonder what it looks like coming from the other direction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrTuner Posted November 28, 2019 Share Posted November 28, 2019 Well, it's fitting. Traffic safety in Thailand is a joke, why not the signs as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recom273 Posted November 28, 2019 Share Posted November 28, 2019 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’ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcnx Posted November 28, 2019 Share Posted November 28, 2019 This was probably more than their minds could comprehend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tayaout Posted November 28, 2019 Share Posted November 28, 2019 Very good idea but I think human brain would eventually adapt and not see them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Grumpy Posted November 28, 2019 Share Posted November 28, 2019 I will be surprised if this doesn't cause more accidents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratcatcher Posted November 28, 2019 Share Posted November 28, 2019 4 hours ago, Orton Rd said: The Mrs stops for dogs and monkeys but not for people I also stop for these. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisY1 Posted November 29, 2019 Share Posted November 29, 2019 13 hours ago, wgdanson said: I wonder what it looks like coming from the other direction. You serious? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deli Posted November 29, 2019 Share Posted November 29, 2019 14 hours ago, Orton Rd said: The Mrs stops for dogs and monkeys but not for people You found a good girl ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wgdanson Posted November 29, 2019 Share Posted November 29, 2019 52 minutes ago, ChrisY1 said: You serious? Yes I am. Think about it. recom 273 is wondering about it too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tifino Posted November 29, 2019 Share Posted November 29, 2019 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roo860 Posted November 29, 2019 Share Posted November 29, 2019 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 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKDfella Posted November 29, 2019 Share Posted November 29, 2019 “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'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berybert Posted November 29, 2019 Share Posted November 29, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tifino Posted November 29, 2019 Share Posted November 29, 2019 A 3D brick wall would good to stand back and watch! - or Grand Canyon (I'd settle for a SinkHole) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantom Posted November 29, 2019 Share Posted November 29, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotchilli Posted November 29, 2019 Share Posted November 29, 2019 If it works go for it.... zebra crossings as they are certainly don't so something has to change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josephbloggs Posted November 29, 2019 Share Posted November 29, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotchilli Posted November 29, 2019 Share Posted November 29, 2019 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJBangkok Posted November 29, 2019 Share Posted November 29, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gee Ku Posted November 29, 2019 Share Posted November 29, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bundooman Posted November 29, 2019 Share Posted November 29, 2019 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30la Posted November 29, 2019 Share Posted November 29, 2019 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StayinThailand2much Posted November 29, 2019 Share Posted November 29, 2019 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... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard_smith237 Posted November 29, 2019 Share Posted November 29, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard_smith237 Posted November 29, 2019 Share Posted November 29, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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