Gangneung Selected for Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Project
Late-Night Transportation Gaps to Be Filled with Autonomous Vehicles
National Funding Secured for Gangneung ITS World Congress Late-Night DRT Service
Gangneung City in Gangwon Province (Mayor Kim Hongkyu) has been finally selected for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's public project with its "Late-Night Autonomous Vehicle Operation Project," aimed at leading the era of autonomous mobility.
Gangneung City Selected for Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Public Project (Vehicle Photo Example PV5). Provided by Gangneung City
As a result, Gangneung plans to begin a full-scale pilot operation of an autonomous demand-responsive transport (DRT) service during late-night hours (from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. the next day) when public transportation is unavailable, in order to address transportation gaps. This will enable citizens to access safer and more convenient mobility services even at night.
From July 2026 to June 2027, Gangneung will operate two autonomous vehicles (PV5) to provide late-night services on a 27.3-kilometer tourism-focused autonomous vehicle operation zone.
This project marks the first time Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province will operate a late-night autonomous DRT service. It is expected to improve late-night transportation convenience for many tourists and international event officials at major transportation hubs such as Anmok Beach, Gangneung Station, and the express bus terminal.
Through this project, Gangneung City plans not only to address late-night transportation blind spots but also to expand the foundation for the commercialization of autonomous vehicles and drive innovation across the entire transportation environment. In particular, by providing late-night autonomous vehicle services, the city aims to realize citizen-centered transportation welfare and make significant strides toward becoming a sustainable future mobility city.
Currently, Gangneung operates seven autonomous vehicles within a 68.5-kilometer autonomous vehicle pilot zone and was the only medium-sized city to achieve a B grade in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's 2025 evaluation of autonomous vehicle pilot zones. In addition, the number of autonomous service users is expected to rise from 3,432 in 2024 to 10,529 in 2025, nearly tripling and further solidifying Gangneung's status as a leading city in autonomous mobility.
Lim Sinhyeok, Director of ITS Promotion, stated, "This project will serve as a pivotal opportunity for Gangneung to transform into a smart mobility city, going beyond a simple pilot operation," adding, "We will place the highest priority on the convenience and safety of our citizens and deliver a highly sophisticated autonomous vehicle service."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
