The zig-zags in the middle of the lane are identicle to those used throughout Australia to signify an approaching pedestrian crossing, just as the case is in the picture the OP posted.
They are a good idea and they work. When you are used to them being there you don't consciously look at them, get distracted, and say "Wow - there's a zig-zag line all other the road". Rather you subconsciously recognize them and just know that a pedestrian crossing is coming up.
Kind of like arrows painted on the road at intersections - you don't get distracted by them, you just subconsciously know that if your car is in a lane with an arrow you have to turn in that direction, as opposed to travelling straight through.