Pedestrian Danger Zones: Taiwan's Opportunity to Transform Intersection Safety

In 2022, a foreign media report put a"pedestrian hell"label on Taiwan -- and it wasn't just a cautionary remark. A string of major traffic tragedies that followed opened the door to transforming Taiwan's traffic environment. In the past, crossing the street in Taiwan often felt like a "survival game": vehicle-centric road design and sidewalks that were scarce and frequently obstructed forced pedestrians to compete with vehicles for space. In 2024, 366 pedestrians lost their lives on the road.

In recent years, with the introduction of "people-first" principles and regulatory amendments, we've seen real progress in pedestrian spaces. However, improving the pedestrian environment is a complex systemic undertaking that still requires better road design, technology-enabled enforcement, and road-user education.

In practice, traditional surveillance cameras mostly serve only an after-the-fact evidentiary function, and with limited police manpower, round-the-clock presence at every intersection is simply not feasible.The introduction of technology-enabled enforcementhas become the key turning point. Experience from multiple counties and cities shows that intersections with AI video analytics deployed see accident and violation rates drop by roughly 15-25%, adding an extra layer of protection for pedestrian safety.

Why Does "Pedestrian Hell" Need AI?

With AI video analytics, traffic authorities can continuously monitor pedestrian-vehicle interactions at high-risk intersections without stationing large numbers of police officers, identifying and documenting high-risk scenarios such as "vehicles failing to yield to pedestrians," "vehicles rushing an early left turn," and "pedestrians crossing illegally."

AMTK's AI Smart Intersection uses front-end edge AI to issue warnings in the critical seconds before an accident occurs, shifting enforcement from "after-the-fact prosecution" to "proactive warning" -- reducing the risk of accidents and improving the efficiency of pedestrian and vehicle safety management at intersections.

Core Advantages of AMTK

• Designed and Manufactured in Taiwan:100% designed and manufactured in-house, with robust information security that meets government procurement standards.
• Front-End Edge Computing:AI recognition is built into the camera -- no expensive servers required, with zero-latency response.
• High Accuracy:Supports high-speed automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) along with person and vehicle detection in complex environments.
• Supports Third-Party AI VMS:Integrates with NUUO to receive alert messages in real time, simplifying monitoring and management workflows.

AI Use Cases for Smart Intersections

1. Pedestrian Violation and Intrusion Detection

For pedestrians crossing against a red light, failing to cross where designated, or straying into a traffic lane, the system can define a "virtual alert zone" and enable "pedestrian line-crossing detection."

• How It Works: AI determines in real time whether a pedestrian has crossed the alert line or is lingering abnormally at the edge of a traffic lane.
• Results: Automatically triggers intersection LED signage or audible/visual alerts to guide pedestrians back to a safe area.

2. Vehicle Failure-to-Yield Detection

When a pedestrian enters a crosswalk according to the signal, the system simultaneously analyzes the relative positions of people and vehicles. If a vehicle is detected failing to slow down or yield as required, AI automatically captures the license plate and retains the footage, providing the evidence needed for technology-enabled enforcement.

3. Vehicle Restricted-Zone Detection

Virtual fences can be set up for pedestrian zones, bus-only lanes, and similar areas. If a vehicle enters a restricted zone, the system immediately issues an alert and logs the violation, helping maintain order in pedestrian spaces and public transit lanes.

4. Proactive Alerts at Unsignalized Intersections

At intersections near schools or in alleys without traffic signals, the system can proactively detect approaching vehicles. As a pedestrian prepares to cross, it issues a proactive audible/visual warning, delivering preventive safety protection.

AMTK Smart Intersection System Architecture