TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Department of Transportation, Taipei City Government (DOT, 台北市政府交通局), on Tuesday (Aug. 20) refuted a recent study labeling Taipei as Asia's least walkable city. Officials argued that the study's reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) to measure walking distances between tourist spots fails to reflect the pedestrian environment accurately.
The study used AI to map out a one-day walking itinerary for each city, calculating the total walking distance from breakfast to lunch, then to another attraction, and finally to dinner. DOT criticized the study's methodology, noting that it did not disclose how the AI selected tourist spots or account for public transportation.
Officials emphasized that Taipei has both sidewalks and a comprehensive green transportation system. In 2022, green transportation accounted for 61.1% of the city's total transport share. To further enhance pedestrian safety, Taipei launched the Pedestrian Safety (台北交通安心行) project in 2023, adding 13 new sidewalks, widening 18 existing ones, and marking 114 new pedestrian paths.
In Daxue Village (大學里), the department implemented traffic reforms to create a safer, more pedestrian-friendly environment. Ten additional villages have expressed interest in participating. By the end of 2026, the city aims to improve pedestrian environments around 280 schools, 45 hospitals, 50 parks, and 38 major roads.