Korail Gwangju Regional Management Team Benchmarks Advanced Optical Technology at Korea Photonics Technology Institute

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] The Gwangju Regional Management Team of the Korea Railroad Gwangju-Jeonnam Headquarters visited the Korea Photonics Technology Institute (Director Shin Yong-jin), a specialized production technology research institute in the photonics field, on the 19th to benchmark advanced photonic convergence technologies.

This benchmarking was promoted to actively benchmark the core photonics technologies and commercialized photonic convergence R&D achievements through collaboration with the Korea Photonics Technology Institute, aiming to utilize them for smart maintenance and technological advancement in the railroad sector.

Meanwhile, last year, Korea Railroad succeeded in the commercialization development of the "Fiber Optic-based Line-type Optical Vibration Sensor System for Railroad Safety Monitoring" in collaboration with the Korea Photonics Technology Institute.

By applying AI-based data analysis technology, this system is expected to enhance railroad safety by detecting and notifying unauthorized intrusions, maintenance work, rockfalls, and optical cable damage on the tracks in advance. Currently, efforts are focused on improving reliability through big data collection and analysis on operating lines.

During this benchmarking, the latest photonic technologies such as optical sensors and LEDs, as well as photonic convergence technologies applicable to railroad transportation safety fields including lighting and displays, were reviewed intensively. Plans are to create synergy effects by actively cooperating in applicable areas.

Additionally, the Research & Development Special Zone Promotion Foundation, which connects public demand sectors with promising technologies, also participated on this day to jointly provide follow-up support.

Hong Cheon-hee, Director of the Facilities Department, stated, “Through continuous smart innovation integrating AI, big data, and photonic convergence technologies into the railroad sector, we will do our best to ensure that employees can maintain railroad facilities more perfectly in a safer environment.”