Taichung is preparing to test automated sun-shade umbrellas at busy intersections, following Taipei and New Taipei — good news for pedestrians facing brutal summer heat and sudden downpours.

• Three areas are being evaluated: the Shuinan transit hub, the zone near Taichung train station, and Wenxin Forest Park.
• The most likely first site is the Wenxin Road and Xiangshang Road intersection, because the wait at the light is long and there is no shade nearby.
• Intersections that already have shade from trees or buildings are ruled out, as are ones where the wait is too short to matter.
• New Taipei went first with automated shade umbrellas at two Banqiao intersections, and Taipei has trials running in Ximending and near the Taipei Arena.

Outlook: Taichung will start with the shortlisted sites and add more intersections as suitable locations are identified.