Mayor Kim Kyoungil Vows to Create a Safe and Smart Urban Transportation Environment

Paju City to Install 'Smart Crosswalk System' at Five Crosswalks Frequently Used by Transportation-Vulnerable Individuals
Automatically Extends Pedestrian Signal by Up to 10 Seconds Through Pedestrian Detection

Paju City in Gyeonggi Province announced on May 20 that it will additionally install the 'Smart Crosswalk System,' which automatically extends the pedestrian signal time at crosswalks located in areas where transportation-vulnerable individuals frequently pass.

Diagram of the Smart Crosswalk System for Transportation Vulnerable. Provided by Paju City.

The 'Smart Crosswalk System' is designed to enhance pedestrian safety for transportation-vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly and people with disabilities, who may lack sufficient time to cross. The system uses artificial intelligence (AI) video devices to detect pedestrians and automatically extends the pedestrian signal by up to 10 seconds, helping them cross the street safely.

This round of installations will target five locations near administrative welfare centers and multipurpose sports facilities in Munsan, Wollong, Unjeong 1-dong, Unjeong 2-dong, and Geumchon, where transportation-vulnerable individuals frequently travel and where improvements to pedestrian conditions are needed.

Paju City finalized the installation sites in April 2025 and completed consultations with relevant agencies, including the police. Construction began in May and is scheduled for completion by June, after which the system will be fully operational. The total project cost is 200 million won, entirely funded by the city budget.

Since 2021, Paju City has been gradually introducing the 'Automatic Pedestrian Signal Extension System,' completing installations at a total of 24 locations to date. Notably, in 2024 alone, the pedestrian signal was automatically extended more than 1.1 million times, indicating that many transportation-vulnerable individuals are actively using the system. This figure serves as an objective indicator of the system's necessity and effectiveness, and analysis shows that citizens' satisfaction with the system is also high.

Paju City Mayor Kim Kyoungil stated, "The smart crosswalk is a transportation system that prioritizes pedestrians, especially transportation-vulnerable individuals, rather than vehicles. Moving forward, we will continue to create a 'smart and considerate urban transportation environment' that reduces inconvenience and enhances safety for citizens, based on advanced technology."