Automatic Safety Footboards Installed Since Last Year
Statistics have shown that the number of deaths and fine dust levels have decreased 20 years after platform screen doors were installed in the Seoul subway.
On the 2nd, marking the New Year of Eulsa Year (乙巳年) 2025, citizens are boarding the subway running over Dongho Bridge in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, heading to work. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung
On the 11th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that since the installation of platform screen doors, the number of subway accident fatalities and fine dust levels have significantly decreased. The installation of platform screen doors began in earnest in 2006 during Mayor Oh Se-hoon's term and was completed across all stations on Seoul Subway Lines 1 to 8 by 2009. Currently, platform screen doors are installed in 345 stations, including Line 9 and the Ui-Sinseol Line.
The annual average number of subway accident fatalities, which was 37.1 from 2001 to 2009, dropped sharply to an average of 0.4 per year from 2010 to 2024. Additionally, by blocking contaminants and train-induced wind from the tracks, the fine dust concentration decreased by about 20%. Before the installation of the platform screen doors, the fine dust concentration exceeded the standard level of 100㎍/㎥ at 106.7㎍/㎥, but after installation, it dropped to 86.5㎍/㎥ (2010?2017).
Platform noise also decreased by approximately 7.9%, from 78.3 dB before installation to 72.1 dB after, and cooling efficiency increased by about 30%. As a result, daily electricity costs, which once reached 600 million KRW, were reduced to approximately 425 million KRW, a decrease of about 30%. This has enabled an annual savings of 16.7 billion KRW during the summer months of June to August (92 days).
Mayor Oh stated, "Before the installation of platform screen doors, accidents such as falls were frequent, and citizens waiting in the front row for trains were always anxious. After taking office as mayor, I prioritized citizens' safety and health and expedited the installation."
Meanwhile, since last year, Seoul has begun installing foldable automatic safety footboards to prevent foot entrapment accidents, which are prone to occur on curved platforms with wide gaps between the platform and trains. The goal is to install 589 units across 74 stations by the end of this year. In 67 stations with 413 locations where installing foldable automatic safety footboards is difficult, high-intensity LED warning lights will be installed to alert passengers of the risk of foot entrapment.
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