Experts have diagnosed that securing pedestrian visibility near the Humanities Building of Pusan National University (PNU), where a fatal traffic accident occurred in June, is urgently needed.

On the 27th, the Busan branch of the Road Traffic Authority stated that tree trimming on the sidewalk appears necessary to secure pedestrian visibility near the Humanities Building of PNU. The authority visited PNU's Busan Campus on September 23rd with the Traffic Broadcasting Network Busan production team to inspect factors threatening pedestrian traffic safety. Lee Hwan-Jin, deputy director of the Safety Facilities Department who conducted the inspection, said, “The bushes planted next to the stairs coming up from Nuknukhan-Teo direction could block pedestrians’ view. Removing bushes for visibility would be advantageous for vehicles to secure a safe distance and for pedestrians to secure their view.”

The authority also suggested installing a roundabout in front of Saebyeokbeol Library. This area was voted as the “highest risk” location on campus by the majority (60.1%) of students in a survey conducted by “Channel PNU.” The authority analyzed that the current three-way intersection is too wide, and the narrow sidewalk creates an environment where students naturally have to walk on the road. Deputy Director Lee emphasized, “Narrowing the area where vehicles and pedestrians meet is the best way to reduce accidents.”

Students still express dissatisfaction with the traffic environment in front of Saebyeokbeol Library. Lee Hae-Won (Dept. of Architecture Engineering, 22) said, "Even when crossing at the crosswalk, it’s often dangerous due to high pedestrian and vehicle traffic.” Ryu Na (Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 24) also said, "In the morning, there are many vehicles entering and exiting near Saebyeokbeol Library and Jayoo Hall, overlapping with students going to classes."

Advice for improving awareness of both drivers and pedestrians was also given. Installing speed bumps meeting the standard height (10cm) from campus entrances and repeatedly marking 20km/h speed limits on the road surface could subconsciously make drivers reduce speed. The authority explained that installing additional pedestrian fences could also be a measure to reduce the number of jaywalking incidents.

Meanwhile, the Division of General Affairs of PNU plans to commission an external study in November to develop long-term campus traffic safety improvement plans reflecting the situation of the Busan Campus. Associate Director Ahn Jun-Yong of the Division of General Affairs said, “We are currently in the process of writing a proposal for the study bid.” The department announced in August that they plan to start the external study during the second semester and deliver the results to the Campus Planning Department to establish a self-regulated traffic safety system for the Busan Campus (reported by “Channel PNU” on August 30th, 2024).

*Joint coverage: Channel PNU, Traffic Broadcasting Network Busan

Reported Choi Yun-Hui

Translated by Seo Yoo-Jung