'AI Face Recognition for Missing Person Tracking'... IFEZ Smart City Phase 1 to be Completed by June Next Year

Detection of Road Hazard Factors and Priority Signal for Emergency Vehicles among 16 Projects
Phase 2 Detailed Design Service Contract to be Issued This Month

Incheon Free Economic Zone Smart City Operation Center
[Photo provided by Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority]

A smart city service that uses artificial intelligence (AI)-based facial recognition to find missing persons and detect real-time road hazards will be realized next year in the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ).

The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority announced on the 18th that it plans to complete the "IFEZ Smart City Basic Service Phase 1 Project" by June next year. With a total project cost of 12.2 billion KRW, the Phase 1 project focuses on building an urban safety network and establishing a future-oriented transportation system by utilizing AI and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. Sixteen projects across three areas?citizen safety and convenience, mobility, and business development?will be promoted.

As a major project, a system will be introduced that automatically detects road hazards such as potholes, cracks, and defective road markings through AI-based real-time video analysis and transmits the information to relevant agencies. To this end, 11 vehicles equipped with cameras will patrol various parts of the city to ensure road safety.

Additionally, AI-based video analysis technology will be applied to CCTV footage to build an "AI Missing Person Search System," enabling search support such as locating dementia patients or missing children through CCTV.

Near an elementary school intersection in Songdo, 15 radar detection-based "Right Turn Object Detection Systems" will be installed to prevent pedestrian traffic accidents caused by right-turning vehicles. When the radar detects pedestrian approach, notification messages such as "Pedestrian Waiting (Detected)" will appear on electronic road signs, encouraging drivers to slow down.

At Cheongna Lake Park, four "Smart Poles" will be installed. These urban infrastructure facilities combine smart technology with existing streetlight and traffic signal poles and can be equipped with CCTV, smart lighting, electronic signboards, and emergency bells, serving as safety guardians for citizens using the park.

In the mobility sector, an emergency vehicle priority signal control system will be operated to reduce dispatch times and secure the golden hour for ambulances and fire trucks. This system controls traffic signals at intersections along the dispatch route based on the current location of the emergency vehicle, helping it reach its destination quickly.

For business development, the establishment of a Startup Park Open Studio is also underway. This project provides a multi-screen studio to assist tenant companies in Incheon Startup Park with technology and service demonstrations, as well as company presentation meetings.

An official from the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority stated, "IFEZ is protecting the safety of citizens and the city through advanced smart city services befitting an international city and is leading the way in building a future-oriented transportation environment. Starting this month, we will proceed with the detailed design for Phase 2 to expand the smart city and discover new technologies."