LG Uplus Implements Safety Accident Prevention Technology on Subway Line 4

Danggogae~Namtaeryeong Section 26 Stations LTE-R Implementation Project
Platform and Train Car Video, Triple Monitoring by Control Center, Driver, and Station Office
Real-Time Train Status Check During High-Speed Operation Through Integrated Control Management

The interior of the cabin and the train status monitoring screen visible at the control center of the Seoul subway, where LG Uplus completed the LTE-R construction last year.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] From now on, train drivers will be able to see the platform screen starting 400 meters before entering the station, which is expected to significantly reduce potential casualties.

LG Uplus announced on the 3rd that it will implement the 'Integrated Railway Wireless Communication (LTE-R)' service centered on 26 stations of Subway Line 4. LTE-R is a technology optimized for urban railroads based on the 4G LTE mobile communication service. It improves the outdated train wireless equipment (VHF system) to efficiently transmit necessary voice, video, and data between running trains, between trains and control centers, and among maintenance personnel. Through this project, LTE-R will be applied to the 31.5 km main line section of Line 4, from Danggogae through Seoul Station to Namtaeryeong.

The greatest expected benefit is enhanced safety for passengers. Through uninterrupted video signals of LTE-R, not only the control center but also the train driver in operation can view the platform screen starting 400 meters before entering the station. The driver can use this to preemptively check for abnormalities in the screen doors and prevent passenger safety accidents. Additionally, CCTV footage inside the operating train cars will be shared with the driver, control center, and station office to enable prompt responses to situations inside the cars.

LTE-R can be linked with the disaster safety communication network (PS-LTE), speeding up cooperation with related agencies during emergencies. The control center can also monitor critical information such as the power status of vehicles even while trains are moving at high speed. Using Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, air quality throughout the stations can be measured, establishing a system to systematically manage fine dust levels and more.

LG Uplus and Seoul Metro have completed LTE-R installation at the relevant stations and plan to begin test operations around the first quarter of next year. Vice Chairman Ha Hyun-hoe stated, "Since urban railroads are public domains, we aimed for stability using LTE communication technology that has been verified over a long period, and we have strengthened technological advancement through a consortium with Korea Radio Base Station. By adding LG Uplus’s differentiated services based on LTE, such as the Internet of Things, we will contribute to the continuous evolution of the Seoul subway."