According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), the South Korean joint research team of Kangwon National University and light sensor developer Accendo is the first in the world to develop a high-accuracy rain sensor, which can much more accurately measure rainfall, after two years of research and development. (Image: Kobiz Media)
SEOUL, June 16 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korean researchers have developed a high-accuracy rain sensor capable of informing drivers of alternative routes in case of heavy rain, a development that is expected to ease traffic congestion.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), the South Korean joint research team of Kangwon National University and light sensor developer Accendo is the first in the world to develop a high-accuracy rain sensor, which can much more accurately measure rainfall, after two years of research and development.
The newly developed light-based rain sensor will be deployed on vehicle windshield wipers, and project light onto the windshield to check the quantity of raindrops on the glass, with the data gathered then sent to the KMA’s database along with the vehicle’s whereabouts through GPS.
When commercialized, the new technology is expected to help alleviate traffic problems as well as contribute to curbing road accidents, as drivers with a navigation system could be informed ahead of time about alternative routes to avoid areas that will be swept away by torrential rains.
Currently, the high-accuracy rain sensor is being trialed by twenty buses running on two lines in Busan, from which data is being sent to the Disaster Status Control Center of Busan.
The KMA says conducting further research to create a road safety system through which rainfall data information can be exchanged between drivers and local disaster and safety status control centers across the nation in real time could make a significant contribution to securing road safety and preventing disasters.
Currently, the high-accuracy rain sensor is being trialed by twenty buses running on two lines in Busan, from which data is being sent to the Disaster Status Control Center of Busan. Korea Meteorological Administration. (Image: Korea Meteorological Administration)
The KMA also plans to work with Kangwon National University to increase the accuracy of the rain sensor, which will provide much more specific units of measurement, which will see the amount of rainfall being measured in units as precise as one millimeter.
“We hope weather information can be applied to different fields of transport including tourism, distribution, and shipping,” a KMA official said.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
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