Strengthening Snow Removal with Expanded Private Services and Equipment... Securing Dedicated Equipment for Sidewalks and Trails, Organizing Snow Removal Teams Linked to Local Autonomous Disaster Prevention Corps... Last Year's Snow Removal System Within One Hour Operating Normally This Year
Nowon-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced that it will operate a 'Rapid Snow Removal System' aiming to complete snow removal within one hour during snowfall.
The existing conventional snow removal system mainly deployed snow removal vehicles on major roads, while side streets and sidewalks were cleared manually by personnel from local community centers and private volunteers, making rapid and systematic response difficult.
In response, the district has established and operated the 'NoNo System' (NOnoS: Nowongu One hour sNOw removing works System) since last year. The goal is to start snow removal immediately after snowfall and complete it within one hour.
The main measures include ▲expanding private snow removal services ▲securing dedicated snow removal equipment for sidewalks and walking trails ▲reorganizing private snow removal task forces in connection with local autonomous disaster prevention groups ▲expanding storage of snow removal agents.
First, the district has significantly expanded the routes for private snow removal services from about 50 km to approximately 300 km. In addition to 37 major roads, some sidewalks and side streets are also included. Leading with 28 district-operated snow removal vehicles, a total of 295 snow removal equipment units are operated through direct use of spreaders and sidewalk snow removal equipment, as well as contracted private companies.
For sidewalks and walking trails accessible by vehicles, the district directly conducts snow removal using dedicated equipment. Utilizing sidewalk snow removal equipment and automatic small spreaders, the work is more efficient and faster compared to manual labor.
For sidewalks and side streets where vehicle access is difficult due to road structure, private snow removal task forces of 30 to 50 people per neighborhood have been reorganized. They work in coordination with local autonomous disaster prevention groups who are familiar with the neighborhood alleys to ensure snow removal without blind spots.
Snow removal is also prepared for vulnerable areas and steep roads. Within the district, a total of 12 road heating lines covering 2,580 meters and 5 automatic brine spraying devices covering 1,380 meters are installed and in operation.
To prepare for continuous snowfall lasting more than one day, the replenishment of snow removal agents in storage houses and snow removal boxes is carried out promptly. Using district-operated and contracted services, the replenishment period has been shortened from 4-5 days to 1-2 days. The district has a total of 500 snow removal boxes and storage houses, each with a designated manager, and continuously secures small-sized snow removal agents weighing 5-10 kg that can also be used by the elderly.
A district official explained, "Before the full-scale snow removal measures were launched on the 15th, we conducted training for community center staff in each neighborhood, inspected and trial-operated snow removal equipment, established a cooperative system through support agreements with related organizations, and carried out joint drills to be fully prepared for immediate response to sudden snowfall."
District Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, “We have checked to ensure that the rapid and systematic snow removal system, proven effective last year, operates according to local conditions this year as well. We will do our best to prioritize residents’ safety and provide peace of mind even during sudden heavy snowfall.”
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