Escalator Handrail Sterilization Now Visible in Daejeon Subway

Daejeon Transit Corporation Develops Korea's First "Real-Time Infrared Sterilizer"
Handrail Usage Rises by 25% and Customer Accidents Decrease

Daejeon Transit Corporation installed four escalator real-time infrared handrail sterilizers on a trial basis at City Hall Station, achieving significant effectiveness in preventing customer safety accidents.

The "real-time infrared handrail sterilizer," developed for the first time in Korea by Daejeon Transit Corporation, is receiving positive feedback from citizens as it addresses both escalator safety and hygiene concerns.

On July 14, the corporation announced that, in order to overcome the invisible sterilization limitations of existing automatic sterilizers, it had jointly developed an infrared display device with a private company. This device allows the sterilization process to be visually confirmed and was installed on a trial basis at City Hall Station.

The key feature of this device is that it intuitively shows passengers that infrared sterilization is being carried out in real time while they hold the handrail.

According to the corporation, a citizen survey conducted from June 24 to July 8 found that 73.4% of passengers recognized the device, and the handrail usage rate increased by more than 25%.

Even users who previously avoided using the handrail due to hygiene concerns were more likely to use it with confidence after directly confirming the sterilization process.

Customer accidents occurring on escalators account for more than 55% of all accidents within stations, indicating a high frequency.

Since the pandemic, the risk of secondary safety accidents caused by not holding the handrail has also been consistently pointed out.

The corporation, together with its joint development partner Fun2Me Co., has filed for a patent and signed a technology agreement. Moving forward, it plans to expand the application of this technology not only to all stations in Daejeon, but also to subway stations, public buildings, department stores, and passenger terminals nationwide.

Through this, the corporation expects to establish a cooperative model with small and medium-sized enterprises and also generate revenue.

Yeon Gyuyang, President of Daejeon Transit Corporation, stated, "We prioritize health and safety in public transportation above all else, and we will continue to innovate to create a comfortable transportation environment where citizens can use public transit with peace of mind."