Intensive Safety Investments for 7 Million Daily Seoul Subway Users
Smart Station System to Expand to All Stations by Next Year
The safety system of the Seoul Subway, used by 7 million people daily, will be further strengthened. Seoul Metro announced on the 30th that it will expand the ‘Smart Station’ system to all stations on Lines 1 to 8 by next year and continue focused investments in safety, including the additional installation of ‘Automatic Safety Platforms’ to prevent accidents caused by feet slipping between the platform and train.
Seoul Metro announced that after the full-scale installation of automatic safety platform gates, the number of platform gap accidents has decreased, with accidents on Seoul Subway Lines 1 to 8 dropping to 70 last year, approximately 30% less than in 2018. Oh Se-hoon, Mayor of Seoul (center in the photo), is inspecting the automatic safety platform gates. Provided by Seoul Metro.
Seoul Subway’s safety excellence has recently been highlighted due to the surge in 'subway pushing' crimes in New York City subway stations. The platform screen doors installed at all Seoul Subway stations since 2006, when Mayor Oh Se-hoon was in office, represent a prime example of a ‘fortress-like safety and security system.’
Currently, the Smart Station system operates in 189 stations and will be expanded to all 276 stations on Lines 1 to 8 by next year. Smart Station integrates the management of station operations, including safety, dispersed facility management, and services, using 3D maps, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, and intelligent CCTV. Once completed, the system will allow the Customer Safety Office to centrally manage station facilities that were previously managed individually, such as platform screen doors, fire safety, elevators, CCTV, and security shutters.
Smart Station Reduces Emergency Response Time from 11 Minutes to 3 Minutes
Smart Station provides a 3D digital twin map that allows a comprehensive view of the station interior, enabling real-time detection of emergencies such as patients in distress or crimes, securing golden time and playing a crucial role in preventing crimes in blind spots. Additionally, intelligent CCTV with over 2 million pixels uses high-speed deep learning AI to automatically recognize intrusions into restricted areas and escalator falls, immediately alerting staff to emergencies.
Analysis of stations equipped with Smart Station on Lines 2 and 8 showed that emergency response times were reduced by 72.7%, from 11 minutes to 3 minutes, and patrol times decreased by 64.3%, from 28 minutes to 10 minutes, according to Seoul Metro.
Furthermore, by next year, CCTV upgrades and intelligent monitoring systems will be introduced across all Seoul Subway lines to reduce blind spots. Lines 1 to 4 and Lines 5 and 8 have already completed these upgrades, and a total of 20,584 CCTVs are currently operating across all 276 stations on Lines 1 to 8.
Seoul Metro is also expanding the installation of ‘Automatic Safety Platforms’ to prevent feet from slipping into gaps between curved platforms and trains during boarding and alighting. These platforms fold away when the train is moving and automatically extend to fill the gap when the train stops.
Following an incident in March 2023 at Chungmuro Station on Line 3, where a child’s foot got caught between the train and platform, Mayor Oh Se-hoon ordered the expansion of Automatic Safety Platforms at stations with slipping risks. Since last year, platforms have been installed at 589 locations across Lines 1 to 8. Installation on Lines 1 to 4 will be completed by May this year, with Lines 5 to 8 targeted for completion by the end of the year.
Seoul Metro reported that after the full-scale installation of Automatic Safety Platforms, incidents of feet slipping have gradually decreased, with 70 such accidents recorded on Lines 1 to 8 last year?a roughly 30% reduction compared to 2018, excluding the period of reduced ridership due to COVID-19.
For 66 stations with 413 locations where Automatic Safety Platforms cannot be installed due to structural reasons, ‘Platform Edge Warning Lights’ that emit light from the floor to alert passengers of slipping risks will be introduced by the end of the year.
Legislative Efforts to Grant Judicial Authority to Subway Security Guards
In addition, Seoul Metro will continue to push for legislative amendments to grant ‘Special Judicial Police Authority’ (judicial authority) to subway security guards who patrol trains and stations to maintain order and respond to various accidents and crimes.
Currently, 271 subway security guards operate in pairs, handling tasks such as monitoring abnormal behavior and disorderly conduct, handing over offenders to the police, and taking initial emergency actions. However, since their status is similar to that of ordinary citizens, they face difficulties in seizing dangerous items or making arrests when confronting offenders, and must wait for police arrival while trying to restrain dangerous behavior. During this process, subway security guards frequently suffer verbal abuse and physical assault.
Meanwhile, 6,539 emergency call and alert devices are installed in subway stations, transfer corridors, and restrooms, allowing direct connection to the Customer Safety Office when pressed. Additionally, 595 hotlines and 112 direct emergency bells are in operation, enabling two-way communication with the police and real-time location transmission.
The Seoul Subway ‘Ttota Subway App’ also serves as a safety guardian by allowing citizens who witness emergencies to report incidents directly via smartphone. Upon receiving reports through the app, the nearest subway security guards and police officers are dispatched to respond. Important subway crimes reported to 112 are immediately shared with Seoul Metro through cooperation between Seoul City and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.
Mayor Oh Se-hoon stated, “Although Seoul Subway has recently been spotlighted for its platform screen doors, it has consistently been recognized as world-class in safety, service, and all aspects. To protect the daily lives of 7 million daily users, we will continue to invest intensively in safety without any concessions or compromises.”
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