Seoul will initiate a trial of a new traffic signal system designed to prioritize the passage of emergency vehicles. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Sept. 11 (Korea Bizwire) — Seoul will initiate a trial of a new traffic signal system designed to prioritize the passage of emergency vehicles, with the aim of securing the ‘golden time’ for emergency patients.
This initiative is aimed at institutionalizing a traffic system that gives priority to emergency vehicles, recognizing the limitations of the existing system, which relies on the goodwill of drivers to yield to emergency vehicles.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on Sunday that trials of the ‘Emergency Vehicle Prioritized Traffic Signal System’ will take place in two downtown districts, Gangnam and Gangbuk, from November 2023 to February 2024.
The trials will cover two segments: from the area in front of Gangnam Fire Station to Gangnam Station Intersection (3.8 kilometers of Tehran Road, 14 intersections) in Gangnam-gu; and from Changjeon Intersection in Mapo-gu to Mapo District Office Intersection and Sungsan 2 Bridge Intersection (6 kilometers, 34 intersections) encompassing Dokmak Road, Yanghwa Road, World Cup Road, and World Cup North Road.
The Emergency Vehicle Prioritized Traffic Signal System is designed to facilitate the swift movement of emergency vehicles, such as firefighting vehicles and ambulances, to their destinations without being impeded by traffic signals.
This will be the first time that the city has introduced a trial of the prioritized traffic signal system.
J. S. Shin (js_shin@koreabizwire.com)
