Gov’t Green Lights Countrywide Rollout of Smart Intersections

The smart traffic signal operating system is designed to ensure smooth vehicle flow by controlling traffic lights depending on real-time traffic volume. (image: Korea Bizwire)

SEOUL, May 3 (Korea Bizwire) — A smart traffic signal operating system that assigns traffic signals optimally by analyzing the traffic flow in real time will be expanded throughout the country.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on Sunday the launch of a project to expand the establishment of the smart traffic signal operating system, aimed at improving the traffic low in intersections as well as preventing accidents.

The smart traffic signal operating system is designed to ensure smooth vehicle flow by controlling traffic lights depending on real-time traffic volume, as well as extending priority to emergency vehicles such as fire trucks and ambulances.

According to the government, traffic actuated signal systems were established at 509 sites and priority signal systems at 44 sites across the country as of the end of last year. In addition, smart intersections were established at 746 sites.

After the traffic actuated signal systems are installed, the average green signal time increased by 22 percent compared to prior to the installation period, while the intersection delay time and traffic signal violations declined by 41 percent and 36 percent, respectively.

For sites where emergency vehicle priority signal systems were established, the emergency vehicle travel time decreased by 20 to 60 percent compared to before the installation period.

Against this backdrop, the government decided to greatly improve the traffic signal operating systems in major intersections across the country.

The first priority will be to install traffic actuated signal systems on 403 national roads and municipal sites this year.

In addition, emergency vehicle priority signal systems will be installed at 372 sites in 19 municipal districts and the smart intersections will be added at 1,224 sites in 31 municipal districts.

M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)