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What is a "Specific Prohibited Section (Area)" for Pedestrians Only?

2023年3月20日 02:52

(325-4) The "Pedestrian Only" regulation sometimes has a supplementary sign that says "Specific Prohibited Section (Area)." This article explains what it means when this is written.

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Various supplementary signs are attached to Pedestrian Only regulatory signs

(325-4) The "Pedestrian Only" regulation may be installed with only the main sign, but in many cases, it is accompanied by supplementary signs that set various conditions. For example, the following:

● Designation of regulated dates, days of the week, times, etc.
● Designation of regulated vehicles (limited to ~, excluding ~, light vehicles and bicycles are often excluded)
● Pedestrian-only road
● Specific prohibited section (area)

"Designated/Permitted Vehicles" are excluded even if not written on the supplementary sign

Furthermore, the (325-4) "Pedestrian Only" regulation is in the same state as having the statement "excluding designated/permitted vehicles" even if nothing is written on the supplementary sign. In addition to Pedestrian Only, designated/permitted vehicles are excluded from several other traffic prohibition regulations.

Traffic prohibition regulations that allow exclusions
Source: Metropolitan Police Department Website

"Designated/Permitted Vehicles" include emergency construction vehicles for electricity, gas, water, telephone, and railways; emergency press vehicles; vehicles transporting people with mobility difficulties; vehicles performing necessary public service tasks owned by national or local governments; and vehicles used for investigations and audits based on various laws.

Please refer to this page for details.

In short, simply put,even if the (325-4) "Pedestrian Only" regulation is in effect, there is no guarantee that vehicles will not pass through 100%, and vehicles for special tasks or vehicles with a traffic prohibition exemption mark may pass through.

A Pedestrian Only regulation often seen on residential roads in Tokyo. This is often regulated only during weekday school commuting hours in school zones, or only during busy hours in shopping streets. Since the "excluding bicycles" supplementary sign is attached, bicycles can pass through.

A pattern often seen in Kanagawa Prefecture. Only the regulated time period is listed, and since bicycles are not excluded, bicycles cannot pass through. However, designated/permitted vehicles are excluded from 12:00 to 20:00. (Since there is no exclusion provision for "No Entry for Vehicles," vehicles cannot enter from this direction 100%.)

Two types of Pedestrian Only regulations on Nakamise-dori in Asakusa, Taito Ward, Tokyo. Bicycles and rickshaws are excluded, but designated/permitted vehicles are also excluded in both cases.

A Pedestrian Only regulatory sign installed on a promenade. Due to the structure of the road, it is practically difficult for vehicles to pass, but in terms of the regulation, designated/permitted vehicles are excluded. (It may also fall under the "Pedestrian-only road" mentioned later.)

This is also installed on a narrow pedestrian road, and while vehicles cannot pass due to the road structure, in terms of the regulation, designated/permitted vehicles are excluded. (It may also fall under the "Pedestrian-only road" mentioned later.)

Meaning of Specific Prohibited Section (Area)

When a "Specific Prohibited Section (Area)" supplementary sign is attached to a (325-4) "Pedestrian Only" regulation,"designated/permitted vehicles" are no longer excluded either. Of course, bicycles and light vehicles cannot pass either. In other words, vehicles will not pass 100%. "Specific Prohibited Section (Area)" is often added to pedestrian paradises, shopping street malls, arcades, etc. This designation is used when you want to make it a complete pedestrian paradise without allowing any emergency vehicles.

A regulatory sign for a pedestrian paradise in Akihabara, Tokyo. The words "Specific Prohibited Section" can be seen. A specific section of Chuo-dori is regulated.

A regulatory sign for a pedestrian paradise in Ginza, Tokyo. The words "Specific Prohibited Area" can be seen. An area including a specific section of Chuo-dori and the roads connecting to it is regulated.

A regulatory sign for a pedestrian paradise in Shinjuku, Tokyo. The words "Specific Prohibited Zone" are visible. A specific section of Shinjuku-dori and the area including roads connected to it are regulated.

What if it specifically says "Pedestrian-only road"?

So, what if the auxiliary sign only says "Pedestrian-only road"? In fact, there are two cases where the (325-4) "Pedestrian-only" sign is installed: (1) "Pedestrian-only" regulations by the Prefectural Public Safety Commission based on the Road Traffic Act, and (2) designation of "Pedestrian-only roads" by road administrators based on the Road Act. exist.

The following is the article that serves as the basis for (2).

Article 48-13
3 A road administrator may, when deemed necessary for the safety and smooth flow of traffic, designate a section of a road or a part of a road that has not yet been opened for public use as a road or part of a road intended exclusively for general pedestrian traffic (= pedestrian-only road).

Source: Road Act

In other words, if there is an auxiliary sign that says "Pedestrian-only road," this sign is installed by the road administrator, not the Public Safety Commission.

While "Pedestrian-only" regulated by the Public Safety Commission restricts roads used by vehicles so that only pedestrians can pass, "Pedestrian-only roads" designated by road administrators are roads built for pedestrians from the start.

A "Pedestrian-only road" sign installed in the Shinsaibashisuji Shopping Arcade in Osaka City. It is believed to have been installed to indicate a "Pedestrian-only road" under the Road Act. However, looking at this road, one can also see a "No Parking" regulatory sign for vehicles, so it is assumed that "exclusion provisions for designated/permitted vehicles" are intended.

A "Pedestrian-only" sign installed in front of Kanda Fureai Bridge in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. Since this bridge has stairs and is structurally impassable for vehicles other than bicycles and motorcycles, it is considered to mean "Pedestrian-only road."

Please take a look at this as well.