'Advanced Expressway' Approaches... Korea Expressway Corporation Ensures Both Safety and Convenience

Korea Expressway Corporation is integrating 4th industrial technologies such as drones into highways to strengthen safety nets and enhance convenience for highway users through infrastructure expansion utilizing smart technologies. At the same time, it is also promoting the expansion of new businesses.

◆ "Highway Safety Protected Simultaneously from Sky and Ground"

'Autonomous flight drone patrol' is collecting real-time information on the highway. / Photo by Korea Expressway Corporation

The Expressway Corporation is leading highway safety through 'autonomous drone patrols.' This involves drones automatically circulating designated flight paths on highways, enabling real-time road information collection and rapid response in case of accidents or vehicle breakdowns. In particular, the use of speakers for emergency evacuation guidance is evaluated as advantageous for securing the golden time for customer safety.

The autonomous drone patrol is currently being piloted on the Daejeon-Tongyeong Expressway section from Sannae JCT to Biryong JCT. Full implementation is planned for 2025. To this end, the corporation plans to expand drone stations that support stable flights such as charging and develop an AI-based automatic incident recognition system to enhance on-site initial response capabilities.

For pavement maintenance, 'automatic pavement damage detection equipment' is being utilized. This equipment detects road surface conditions such as potholes during driving through a vehicle-mounted video analysis system, transmits the data in real-time, and facilitates timely repairs. The equipment is being advanced to allow comprehensive monitoring of the pavement condition.

Additionally, there is an 'AI cargo loading violation detection system' to prevent accidents caused by falling objects on highways. When entering toll stations, cargo trucks’ loading compartments are filmed by CCTV, and AI video analysis identifies suspicious vehicles. This system is currently piloted at 19 toll stations including Seoul Toll Station across 48 lanes and is scheduled to be expanded nationwide from next year.

◆ Enhancing User Convenience with Smart Infrastructure and Accelerating New Businesses

'Smeat Tolling System' bird's-eye view / Image courtesy of Korea Expressway Corporation

The Expressway Corporation is expanding smart infrastructure to improve convenience for highway users. A representative example is the 'smart tolling system,' which allows vehicles to pay tolls without stopping at toll booths. This system recognizes vehicles via Hi-Pass devices or license plate recognition, aiming for nationwide implementation on highways by the second half of 2026. The corporation expects that the system will generate over 800 billion KRW in social benefits over ten years through reduced vehicle travel time, operating costs, accidents, and environmental costs.

Charging infrastructure on highways is also being increased. The corporation plans to operate 1,500 electric vehicle chargers at highway rest areas by 2025 and build 60 hydrogen charging stations by next year. Earlier in March, it opened the 'EV-Charging Park' specialized for electric vehicle charging at Sinpung Rest Area (both directions) on the Daejeon-Dangjin Expressway.

Meanwhile, the phased construction of the next-generation Cooperative Intelligent Transport System (C-ITS) across all highway sections is underway. The corporation announced it is preparing to designate the country's first 'autonomous vehicle pilot zone' considering highway characteristics and driving environments.

Furthermore, the corporation is accelerating new businesses utilizing its infrastructure, among which the 'K-MaaS pilot project' stands out. This project links information from various mobility means into a single relay platform, providing customers with one-stop services such as optimal route search, integrated reservation, payment, and settlement. It will offer all transportation information including highways, railways, and aviation on one platform. This service is scheduled to launch in April next year.

A representative from the Expressway Corporation said, "Highways are now evolving into a technological platform where various 4th industrial technologies converge and integrate," adding, "We will continue to provide diverse services that customers can experience firsthand and strive to become a road transport public corporation loved by customers."