Four Smart Challenge Project Sites Selected: Daegu, Pohang, Chuncheon, and Chungbuk

Daegu AI-Based Urban Traffic Solution (Provided by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Jiwon] The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 26th that it has finally selected four sites?Daegu, Chuncheon, Chungbuk, and Pohang?as the preliminary project locations for this year's 'Smart Challenge' city-type projects. With this, all 45 sites for the Smart Challenge project have been selected.

The Smart Challenge project is an initiative where companies, citizens, and local governments collaborate to solve various urban issues such as transportation, safety, environment, and welfare by applying innovative technologies and creative ideas. This year, to spread excellent solutions nationwide, 45 regions were selected, more than double the 18 sites chosen last year.

The newly selected Smart City Challenge is a project to implement comprehensive solutions for the smartification of entire cities. A total of 20 local governments applied, showing a competition rate of 5 to 1.

Each selected local government will receive 1.5 billion KRW in national funding to conduct the preliminary project. After evaluation, if selected for the main project, they will receive 20 billion KRW over two years (with 50% local government funding) to expand the project citywide.

Daegu will carry out an AI-based urban transportation service project. It plans to provide services that monitor traffic conditions in real time and disperse traffic flow through navigation to improve urban traffic. A business agreement for AI-based signal control was also signed with the National Police Agency. Kakao Mobility, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Emotion, and EMG are participating.

Pohang in Gyeongbuk will implement convenient road safety and traffic services for citizens. Pohang faces severe road pressure from heavy vehicles and experiences over 5,000 potholes annually due to high salinity from the nearby sea. To address these issues, a smart road management solution will be introduced. POSCO, Pohang Technopark, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), and Mando Hella Electronics are participating.

Chuncheon in Gangwon Province will realize a citizen-participatory carbon-zero city. To tackle worsening fine dust and heat island effects and alleviate traffic congestion, a carbon emission trading platform involving citizen participation will be demonstrated. KT, Kangwon National University, Korea Institute of Climate Change Research, Namo, and Korea LED are participating.

Chungcheongbuk-do will demonstrate smart emergency medical and autonomous driving mobility services. Smart emergency medical services and mobility services using autonomous electric vehicles will be promoted to solve medical and transportation issues in the Chungbuk Innovation City, Osong, and Ochang areas. Chungbuk National University Hospital, Secuware, Cheongju University, Daechang Motors, and Meokkkaebi are participating.