"10% Vehicle Speed Reduction After Installation
Pilot Distribution in 5 Cities and Counties Including Jangheung, Jeonnam"
[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Rural Development Administration announced on the 28th that it has developed an Internet of Things (IoT)-based agricultural machinery accident detection alarm system and will pilot distribute it to five cities and counties: Jangheung in Jeollanam-do, Incheon, Jecheon in Chungbuk, Hadong in Gyeongnam, and Namwon in Jeonbuk. It is expected to reduce the occurrence of 'major agricultural machinery accidents' by detecting collision risks with regular vehicles in advance.
Agricultural machinery is slower than regular vehicles and often lacks brakes, leading to frequent rear-end collisions with following vehicles. Many accidents occur in remote areas, which delays rescue reports and increases the risk of fatalities.
When the alarm system piloted by the Rural Development Administration is installed, two-way communication is possible between the terminal attached to the agricultural machinery and the driving guidance signboard. When the signboard recognizes the type of agricultural machinery and the approaching distance, it provides information to nearby vehicle drivers to induce caution and safe driving.
The terminal is equipped with functions such as detection of agricultural machinery tipping or overturning accidents, emergency calls, warning lights, and location notification. In case of an accident, it provides real-time information to third parties (guardians) and emergency agencies for prompt action. A mobile application for drivers and guardians, as well as a PC monitoring system, have also been developed.
According to the National Police Agency, from 2015 to 2019, there were 1,017 agricultural machinery traffic accidents annually over five years. On average, 126 deaths and 1,210 injuries occurred each year. In cooperation with the Jeonnam Police Agency and Jangseong County, the Rural Development Administration installed the system and measured the speed of about 1,200 vehicles, finding that vehicle speeds decreased by approximately 10%.
Lee Jaeyoung, a farmer using a tractor in Jangheung, said, "When driving in areas without dedicated agricultural machinery roads, I felt great danger due to speeding vehicles, but thanks to the newly installed system, I can now operate agricultural machinery more safely."
Kim Gyeongran, head of the Agricultural Safety and Health Team at the Rural Development Administration, said, "We expect that the technology developed this time will greatly help prevent agricultural machinery safety accidents," adding, "It will contribute to reducing the occurrence of major accidents related to agricultural machinery."
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