Bt Batok accident: ‘Mismatch of design and user experience’ for pedestrian crossings

In response to the reports, “43 jaywalkers caught in two TP operations in the city” and “Heavy pedestrian traffic along Bt Batok road where 4-year-old girl was killed” (Oct 11), Facebook users mostly empathised with older pedestrians and those with diminished mobility who find it tough to use bridges, with some calling for the authorities to be more “people-centric” when planning and designing pedestrian crossings. A few also asked that drivers and pedestrians alike be more mindful of each other as road-users.

An example of bad pedestrian design that emphasises a “car-first” mentality. Wouldn’t it be more appropriate to install a level pedestrian crossing in this place? ALEX ONG

Our public access ways should be “people-centric” and not just “car-centric” alone. KHANG LUI

The occassional jaywalker does it out of pure wilfulness. However, if a place frequently sees jaywalkers, then there must be something wrong with the design. It is, as they say, a patch of grass walked bald is a sign of the mismatch between design and user experience. BENJAMIN CHIA

Build your roads to move people, not just cars. Build accessible road crossings where human traffic is heaviest, not put an overhead bridge 100m away and then build dividing fences to try to force people to use something that they will never use. LAI WEI JIE

If they have leg problems and still jaywalk, not only are they endangering their own lives but also causing problems for motorists. That area is near BBDC (Bukit Batok Driving Centre), and there are students learning how to drive who are inexperienced on the road. A jaywalker with leg problems can cause the student driver to fail the driving test. Pedestrians are not the kings of the road even though motorists have to be careful and look out for them... There are options and it wouldn’t kill to walk slower and take a bit of time rather than risk your own life and cause trouble for motorists. TIMOTHY WU YAOXIN

All road users, pedestrians, drivers and cyclists have to part to play when it comes to their own safety and that of others. And the unspoken rule is that we give way and look out for the more vulnerable road users. Drivers should give way and look out for pedestrians; heavy vehicle operators look out for smaller vehicles and so on no matter what the law says.

Safety is very important, but everything has to be balanced. Place traffic lights everywhere and traffic flow becomes disrupted. It’s not just drivers that will be affected. Those taking public transport will find buses taking longer to reach their destinations as well.

There are engineering reasons for when to provide overhead bridges or traffic lights.

It’s not always possible or feasible to install lifts and even when lifts are installed, I have seen cases where pedestrians still choose to not walk that extra 50m to use it. We can talk about infrastructure all day, but it boils down to the feet on the ground and hands on the wheel. ONG WEE LOONG

It should not be that, by default, smooth flow of cars is always given priority on all roads, while only certain few areas be designated as “silver zones” for older pedestrians. Where there is a high demand for pedestrian crossings, these should be given the priority for the area. DENNIS LH CHEONG

The elderly have difficulties going up those steps... what reasons do the students have? KOK CHWEE SIM

Do the old, the handicapped or those who have trolleys always get the chance to take the lift when there is one? Sometimes, I have to wait for some kind people to give us a chance to go in, or push my mum in with her wheelchair. I just hope there are bridges with slopes. I don’t mind climbing a slope, but not stairs. Everyone can use (slopes or ramps), there is no restriction. MARIE JOHNSON

*Comments were first posted on TODAY’s Facebook page and were edited for language and clarity.