Seongdong-gu Implements Smart Snow Removal Measures to Ensure Safe Winter Passage

Expansion of Smart Snow Removal System with 40 Road Heating Sites Covering 7.43km and 4 Automatic Spraying Devices Covering 1.64km
Eliminating Snow Removal Blind Spots on Side Roads through Expanded Snow Removal Services... 20 Additional Snow Removal Tool Boxes for Resident Self-Clearing, 146 Tons of Snow Removal Agents Supported for Apartment Complexes

Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jung Won-oh) is implementing a smart snow removal plan to prepare for snowfall and freezing, providing residents with safe and comfortable passage.

Snow removal efforts have been strengthened on side roads, which were more vulnerable compared to main roads and steep slopes.

This winter, due to unexpected heavy snowfall and frequent cold waves, about 31cm of snow accumulated over nine snowfalls during a month-long period from mid-December last year (December 15, 2023, to January 17, 2024). In particular, on December 30, a heavy snowfall lasting more than six hours resulted in a daily snowfall of 12.2cm, marking the highest December snowfall in 42 years.

In response, the district formed a Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on November 15 last year to proactively implement snow removal measures. Especially, the smart remote snow melting system, road heating cables, were expanded from the existing 22 locations covering 3.68 km by adding 18 locations covering 3.75 km, bringing the total to 40 locations and 7.43 km of road heating cables installed. The heating cables are embedded 7cm below the road surface. When heavy snow falls, the temperature and humidity sensors activate the automatic control system, preventing snow accumulation on the roads.

For slopes where installing heating cables is difficult, fixed automatic brine spraying devices have been installed and operated since 2022. In December 2023, 840m were additionally installed at three locations, including village bus routes and the ramp section next to Eungbonggyo Bridge, bringing the total to four locations covering 1.64 km. The brine spraying device sprays brine solution and is especially effective on steep slopes where snow removal vehicles have difficulty accessing. The total length of smart snow melting system installations, including road heating cables and automatic brine spraying devices in Seongdong-gu, is 9.07 km.

Snow removal operations have also been strengthened. Previously, snow removal was mainly conducted on main roads, steep slopes, and bus routes through private consignment, but by expanding the service, side roads that were relatively vulnerable to snow removal are now promptly cleared, enabling safe passage without accidents.

Additionally, 488 snow removal boxes have been placed on main roads and steep slope sections for residents to use for voluntary snow removal. In particular, small-capacity snow removal agents weighing 5 to 10 kg are provided for convenience. Twenty more snow removal toolboxes have been added for residents actively participating in "clearing snow in front of my house and my store." For apartment complexes, 146 tons of snow removal agents have been supplied to prevent slip-and-fall accidents within the complex roads.

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “Winter poses a high risk of accidents due to accumulated snow and freezing, so special caution is required. Seongdong-gu is protecting residents’ safety by proactively introducing snow removal systems integrated with smart technology. We will continue to make efforts to prepare more thoroughly for unexpected natural disasters.”