Autonomous DRT Services to Run Through Gangneung’s Night Streets

MOLIT Supports Local Governments' Autonomous Vehicle Pilot Zone Services
Driverless-Seat Autonomous Taxis to Operate in Seoul
Daegu Introduces High-Speed Middle-Mile Services Between Logistics Hubs

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 24th that it has decided to provide 3 billion won in funding to eight local governments to support services in designated autonomous vehicle pilot operation zones. Autonomous vehicles will mainly operate in areas or at times with poor transportation access.

Gangwon Province will operate late-night autonomous driving demand-responsive transport (DRT) services in Gangneung, where the ITS World Congress on intelligent transport systems will be held. DRT refers to a demand-responsive service in which public transportation routes are not predetermined but are flexibly adjusted in terms of sections or stops according to passenger demand. The government expects that late-night mobility convenience will improve at major transportation hubs such as Anmok Beach in Gangneung, Gangneung Station, and the express bus terminal.

In Sangam, Seoul, autonomous taxis will be operated with no driver in the driver’s seat while providing service. A test driver will sit in the passenger seat to respond in emergencies, marking the first such case in Korea. In Yangcheon, autonomous shuttles to assist transportation-vulnerable groups will be introduced. In Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, daytime and late-night route buses will be operated, and autonomous shuttles will be piloted on a new route from Gwanak Station to Anyang Arboretum. In Pangyo, autonomous route buses will be connected with autonomous DRT services.

Demand-responsive transportation. Provided by Hyundai Motor Company.

In Hadong, South Gyeongsang Province, a town-circulating route bus service will be continuously operated. In North Chungcheong Province, a route connecting to the National Fire Service Hospital in the innovation city will be introduced, and in Jeju, autonomous vans will operate on a route linking the airport and downtown. In South Chungcheong Province, a night-time circular bus connecting residential and commercial areas will be introduced in Naepo New Town.

In Daegu, a middle-mile high-speed freight service between logistics hubs will be introduced. The service will connect public hubs such as post offices with private-sector hubs such as fulfillment centers and logistics centers. Pilot projects will also be carried out to connect with the final-mile segment.

Lim Wolsi, Director of the Autonomous Driving Policy Division at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said, “We plan to improve mobility convenience for the public by resolving the lack of transportation options in rural areas with poor public transport conditions and in urban areas during late-night hours,” adding, “In the newly launched autonomous freight transport services, we will support the successful adoption of autonomous driving technology by reducing driver fatigue for freight transport workers in middle-mile sections, where routes are highly repetitive and the risk of drowsy driving is high.”