## (2) Installation of Barrier-Free Type Traffic Signals and Other Equipment

The police are promoting various measures to ensure safety for the elderly and disabled persons when crossing streets, in line with the law relating to ease mobility of the elderly and the disabled persons. These include measures for the installation of barrier-free traffic signals such as those that emit sound to indicate the state of the traffic signal and traffic signals which indicate how much time remains until the light changes color, measures to enlarge the display panels of road signs and markers, and using reflective material which is easily visible when illuminated by car headlights.

## Diagram 3-20 Barrier Free Examples of Traffic Safety Facilities by the Police

Acoustic traffic signals

Traffic signals

responding

to the elderly

Traffic signals for pedestrians to indicate passing time

Escort zone

### 4. Revitalizing Cities through the Promotion of Comprehensive Measures against Illegal Parking

## (1) Current Situation of Illegal Parking

Illegal parking not only aggravates traffic congestion on arterial roads but it also impedes the safe passage of pedestrians and vehicles, interferes with the work of emergency vehicles, damages the living environment of residents, and has a large effect on the lives of people in general.

Furthermore, illegal parking is also a cause of traffic accidents. During 2009 there were 1,513 collisions involving parked vehicles, with 45 people killed in these accidents. Among complaints, requests, and consultations made through “Dial 110” emergency number, 18.2% were related to parking issues, showing the public’s high concern.

## (2) Promotion of Measures against Illegal Parking

## 1 ) Detailed Parking Regulations

In order to establish better parking conditions that adapt to factors such as change in the road environment, traffic conditions, and parking demand, the police are reviewing current regulations. In doing so, the police are considering matters both from a time-specific perspective of changes in the flow and volume of traffic depending on the time of day, day of the week, and season, and from a location-specific perspective of the special features in the traffic situation and road structure of each road section.

## 2 ) Regulation of Illegal Parking

Under the new illegal parking regulations that were enacted on June 1, 2006, the confirmation task $ ^{1} $ of unattended parked vehicles $ ^{2} $ conducted by the monitors of designated corporations have been operating properly and smoothly, showing great effectiveness in assuring traffic safety and smoothness.

Crackdowns on illegal parking are conducted in accordance with guidelines based on the opinions and requests of local residents.

Note 1: Tasks related to attaching stickers after confirmation of illegal parking.

2: Defined as an illegally parked vehicle whose driver is away from the vehicle.

Table 3-7 Trends in the Situation of Outsourcing of Checking Work (2006-2009)

Year	2006	2007	2008	2009
Category
Number of Police Stations Outsourcing (stations)	270	310	347	378
Number of Companies Commissioned (legal persons)	74	73	73	70
Number of Parking Control Officers (persons)	1,580	1,766	1,966	2,112