17 Elementary Schools with 60 Audio Pedestrian Signal Assist Devices, 22 Crosswalks... 5 AI Pedestrian Accident Prevention Systems, 2 Logo Projectors... 600 Million KRW Invested for Pilot Installation to Prevent Traffic Accidents at Crosswalks for Children and Vulnerable Pedestrians
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Eunpyeong-gu (Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) is prioritizing the prevention of traffic accidents involving vulnerable road users such as children by establishing smart crosswalk infrastructure that integrates ICT technology at crosswalks located on school routes around elementary schools.
According to the Road Traffic Authority's Traffic Accident Analysis System (TASS), in 2019, pedestrian traffic accidents in Eunpyeong-gu numbered 361 cases, accounting for 32.3% of all traffic accidents, with 3 fatalities representing 42.9% of total deaths.
Among pedestrian traffic accidents, 128 occurred while pedestrians were crossing, resulting in 2 pedestrian deaths, highlighting the increased need for caution from both drivers and pedestrians during crossing.
In particular, 598 traffic accidents occurred at intersections, accounting for 53.4% of all traffic accidents, indicating a constant risk of accidents at crosswalks within intersections and the necessity for countermeasures.
To reduce these risks, on October 16, the district installed and is operating 'Pedestrian Signal Voice Guidance Assist Devices' at 22 crosswalks around 17 elementary schools including Eunpyeong Elementary and Sinsa Elementary.
The pedestrian signal voice guidance assist device issues a voice warning saying, “It is dangerous, please move to the sidewalk” when a pedestrian enters the roadway during a red light in the crosswalk waiting area, and during a green light, it guides, “Look left and right before crossing.”
Additionally, during the green flashing signal, it advises, “Please cross at the next signal.” This traffic light assist system uses intelligent CCTV to provide voice warnings and pedestrian guidance when pedestrians are distracted by smartphones or other devices while waiting at the crosswalk line.
Along with this, an attached LED display board shows traffic safety campaigns, COVID-19 guidelines, current time, and other information to promote district policies and provide lifestyle information to residents.
The district expects that the installation of the pedestrian signal voice guidance assist devices will play a significant role in preventing traffic accidents and reducing accident risks for children who are distracted or not focused on walking during school commute times around elementary schools.
In Eunpyeong-gu, in June, an 'Artificial Intelligence (AI) Pedestrian Traffic Accident Prevention System' was installed at five locations including Saejeol Station intersection, which notifies drivers and pedestrians of pedestrian presence during right turns via voice and LED display. At Saejeol Station intersection and Sinsa-dong Hill intersection, logo projectors displaying the warning image “Watch out for cars” on the crosswalk were installed as part of a pilot introduction of new technologies to prevent pedestrian traffic accidents.
Kim Mi-kyung, Mayor of Eunpyeong-gu, stated, “Eunpyeong-gu plans to do its best to create an environment where residents can walk safely from traffic accidents by building future-oriented traffic safety infrastructure using 4th industrial technologies such as intelligent smart CCTV and smart crosswalk systems to prevent not only child traffic accidents in school zones but also pedestrian traffic accidents at crosswalks.”
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