The ‘smart’ street lights will be able to detect accidents and transmit such information to nearby pedestrians and vehicles. (image: KobizMedia/ Korea Bizwire)
SEJONG, Jan. 14 (Korea Bizwire) — According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) on Monday, four government ministries including MOLIT, Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and Ministry of Interior and Safety will jointly develop a ‘Smart Street Light Platform’ starting this year.
The four ministries will invest 26 billion won (US$23.3 million) between 2019 and 2024 for the purpose of adding new functions to street lights.
If the project is completed successfully, it will change the function of street lights beyond simple lighting into a social safety net to prevent the further occurrence of road accidents.
The ‘smart’ street lights will be able to detect accidents and transmit such information to nearby pedestrians and vehicles.
The new street light system will operate by grafting Information and Communications Technology (ICT) onto street light sensors.
The system will collect information related to the road nearby and determine whether it a dangerous situation is present, and send the information to pedestrians and vehicles through a Digital Sign or I2X (Infra to things).
The plan is to allow vehicles and pedestrians to immediately access and respond to information about sudden accidents nearby.
The government is closely examining the application of the technology by selecting five major traffic accidents areas.
Areas where a high level of safety is required, such as tunnels, frozen roads, intersections, crosswalks, and school zones are also candidates for the new street light system.
While MOLIT took charge of the project, each ministry will take hold an R&D public contest next month on related fields of expertise and develop the system over the next three years.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
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