Yongsan-gu Establishes 'Green·Human Snow Removal System'

29 Smart Snow Removal Boxes Installed... Disaster and Safety Management Headquarters to Operate Until March Next Year

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Yongsan-gu (District Mayor Seong Jang-hyun) is establishing and operating the Green·Human Snow Removal System as part of the ‘2020·2021 Winter Snow Removal Measures.’

The Green·Human Snow Removal System is a comprehensive information system that collects weather information from the Korea Meteorological Administration, locations of snow removal boxes (403 places) and snow removal tool boxes within the district, information on snow removal vulnerable areas, status of private snow removal task forces, and status of automatic liquid spreaders.

Through linked closed-circuit (CCTV), the situation in snow removal vulnerable areas can be checked in real time. The district plans to develop this system as a mobile app as well, so that related officials and residents can use it more conveniently.

A district official said, “Previously, all information including weather data from the Korea Meteorological Administration had to be found individually to respond to situations, but with the establishment of this system, work efficiency can be improved.”

The district also installed 29 smart snow removal boxes. Utilizing the Internet of Things (IoT), the remaining amount of snow removal materials and the status of lid openings can be checked immediately. It is expected to help timely replenishment of snow removal materials.

The number of automatic liquid spreaders installed in steep slope vulnerable areas and remotely controlled has been expanded by 32%, from 31 units at 10 locations to 41 units at 12 locations. There are 40 mobile units at 11 locations and 1 fixed unit at 1 location.

Additionally, on the 15th, the district formed the Snow Removal Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (headed by the district mayor) and will operate it until March 15 next year. Thirteen task forces including situation management, traffic measures, and disaster recovery publicity will work in shifts according to levels 1 to 3.

The number of emergency duty personnel by level is 54 to 94 for reinforcement stage, 133 for level 1 (snowfall forecast, snowfall amount around 1 to 5 cm), 410 for level 2 (heavy snow advisory, snowfall amount over 5 cm), and 632 for level 3 (heavy snow warning, snowfall amount over 10 cm). District office and community center officials, as well as sanitation workers, will work 24 hours.

Snow removal vehicles, snow spreaders, and other equipment (10 types, 81 units) will be deployed according to the situation to ensure prompt snow removal. During snowfall, automobile-only roads and Han River bridges will be managed by Seoul City, general arterial roads and village bus routes by the district, and side roads and pedestrian overpasses by community centers.

Residents must also participate. In 2018, the district promulgated the ‘Ordinance on Snow and Ice Removal by Building Managers in Yongsan-gu, Seoul,’ clearly defining residents’ responsibilities.

The snow and ice removal scope covers the entire sidewalk adjacent to the building. For side roads or pedestrian-only roads, removal must be done up to 1 meter from the building site boundary line (near the main entrance for residential buildings, around the entire building for non-residential buildings). Roofs of facilities should also be checked to prevent heavy snow accumulation.

If the snowfall amount is 10 cm or less, removal work must be completed within 4 hours after the snow stops (by 11 a.m. the next day if at night). If more than that, work must be completed within 24 hours.

Seong Jang-hyun, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, “We will minimize residents’ inconvenience caused by snowfall by preparing for emergencies,” and added, “Citizens should also participate in snow removal. Please prepare equipment in advance and use materials from nearby snow removal boxes when necessary.”