Ho Chi Minh City addresses poor nighttime lighting at major intersections

Ho Chi Minh City's Department of Construction is investigating why some complex intersections, specifically Cat Lai and Nguyen Van Linh - Nguyen Luong Bang, suffer from poor nighttime lighting. Do Diep Gia Hop, deputy head of the department's Traffic Works Maintenance and Exploitation Division, stated that while the department collaborates with developers during the design phase to ensure lighting and technical infrastructure meet current standards, issues can arise. These problems often occur during temporary traffic diversions for construction or in the early stages of a new intersection's operation, when remote traffic guidance systems may not keep pace with actual traffic volume. In response, the department is actively collecting feedback from residents, functional units, and the press. They are instructing project owners and management units to promptly adjust and supplement traffic guidance systems. To improve public understanding, the department plans to work with media outlets to create visual simulations and clear instructions for navigating these complex interchanges. Regarding the specific intersections, existing lighting systems utilize high-power sources to meet standards. However, the multi-layered nature of these interchanges, with numerous intertwining ramps and high nighttime traffic volume, creates localized shadows. These shadows can obscure visibility for smaller vehicles, particularly motorcycles, at lane change points. The department has tasked the Traffic Management and Technical Infrastructure Center with inspecting these areas and researching solutions to enhance lighting, especially at ramps, to improve traffic safety. For major intersections, they will consider adding more high-power lights on tall poles and supplementary lighting under overpasses. The department emphasizes that lighting and signage are now integrated into the project planning and approval stages to ensure safety from the outset.

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In the process of implementing different-level intersections such as overpasses and underpasses... the Department of Construction always coordinates with investors right from the design appraisal stage to ensure that the public lighting system and technical infrastructure comply with current regulations and standards.