Yeongdeungpo Market Intersection Improvement

Joint Investigation by Seoul City, Yeongdeungpo-gu, and Yeongdeungpo Police Station Establishes Improvement Plan for High Pedestrian Accident Zones Involving Vulnerable Road Users... Completed in December Last Year... Removal of Traffic Island and Installation of Raised Crosswalk at Yeongdeungpo Market Intersection to Ensure Pedestrian Safety

A raised crosswalk installed at Yeongdeungpo Market intersection to prevent speeding of right-turning vehicles

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Yeongdeungpo-gu (Mayor Chae Hyun-il) has undertaken improvements in accident-prone areas for vulnerable road users such as the elderly and children, completing improvement works at the Yeongdeungpo Market intersection and other locations in December last year.

The Yeongdeungpo Market intersection was an accident-prone area where 13 pedestrian accidents involving elderly people occurred over three years from 2015 to 2017. The district established an improvement plan for the area through a joint on-site investigation with Seoul City and the Yeongdeungpo Police Station.

The investigation found that the traffic islands (island-shaped facilities installed at intersections or road forks) at the Yeongdeungpo Market intersection had particularly large right-turn radii, which was judged to increase vehicle speeds and raise the risk of accidents.

Accordingly, the district removed two traffic islands located within the Yeongdeungpo Market intersection and refurbished the sidewalks. For the two remaining traffic islands, elevated crosswalks (crosswalks level with the sidewalk) were installed to reduce vehicle speeds entering the intersection and enhance convenience for vulnerable road users.

In addition, to protect children, who are representative vulnerable road users along with the elderly, the district undertook improvements around Shinyoung Elementary School, a school zone with heavy traffic.

First, speed enforcement cameras (CCTV) were installed to prevent speeding by drivers around school routes, sidewalks were expanded, and safety fences were installed to ensure the safety of children commuting to and from school.

Furthermore, the district replaced the school zone signs installed at the start and end points of the school zone with LED illuminated signs to make it easier for drivers to recognize the school zone.

The district conducts annual inspections of school routes to continuously improve the pedestrian environment. In January this year, roads, road facilities, and lighting around the school routes of 43 elementary, middle, and high schools in the area were inspected, with repairs scheduled to be completed before the new school term in March. Last year, a total of 106 repairs were made while touring all elementary, middle, and high schools.

Additionally, the district created car-free streets on the school routes of Daeyeong Elementary School and Mullae Elementary School. LED floor traffic signals were installed at the crosswalk of Yeouido Elementary School, and sidewalks at Yeongdeungpo Elementary School were comprehensively maintained to ensure safety on the way to and from school.

As a result of these efforts, the “School Route Improvement with Safety and Sensibility” was selected as one of the top 10 news stories chosen directly by residents of Yeongdeungpo-gu, demonstrating high resident satisfaction with school route safety policies.

Chae Hyun-il, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, said, “The safety of vulnerable road users such as children and the elderly is our top priority. We will continue to improve accident-prone areas and work to enhance the pedestrian environment to create a safe and open Yeongdeungpo.”

Traffic Administration Division (☎2670-3888)