Gangdong-gu, Establishment of Smart Stations for Personal Mobility Devices

Published 07 May.2020 08:19(KST)

District, Seoul's First to Implement Personal Mobility Storage and Charging Service for Electric Kickboards... Secured 120 Million KRW through 2020 Smart City Service Demonstration Support Project

Gangdong Smart Mobility e-Station

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Jeong-hoon) plans to create a ‘Personal Mobility Smart Station’ where personal mobility devices powered by electricity, such as electric kickboards, can be stored and charged.

Personal mobility devices, including electric kickboards, electric wheels, and electric bicycles, are gaining attention as next-generation transportation means to solve traffic congestion and environmental issues caused by urbanization.

However, responses and institutional frameworks addressing problems such as safety accidents, illegal parking, and unauthorized abandonment are still insufficient.

Accordingly, Gangdong-gu is promoting the ‘Personal Mobility Smart Station’ project, the first in Seoul, to create a safe usage environment for personal mobility and to complement public transportation accessibility.

Similar to bicycle racks, the plan is to create spaces where personal mobility devices can be stored and charged during storage, aiming to resolve issues such as illegal parking and abandonment, user safety accidents, and pedestrian inconvenience.

The district plans to establish 10 smart stations throughout the area by investing 120 million KRW from the city budget, secured through selection in the Seoul Digital Foundation’s ‘2020 Smart City Service Demonstration Support Project’ in April this year, and 60 million KRW from the district budget.

The target locations will be selected based on resident demand surveys and mobility analysis, focusing on subway stations with high foot traffic, major commercial areas, and office complexes.

The goal is to commercialize the service within the year, completing the distribution of dedicated terminals and development of related applications by June, and starting pilot operations from July. Through pilot operations, shortcomings will be improved and supplemented, and the service will be advanced to ensure solid operation. Additionally, continuous promotion targeting residents, including service usage guidance, accident insurance enrollment, and safety education, will be conducted.

Furthermore, in cooperation with SH Corporation, plans are underway to additionally establish smart stations within the Godeok Gangil District, scheduled for occupancy this year.

Lee Jeong-hoon, Mayor of Gangdong-gu, stated, “As can be seen from changes in mobility such as personal mobility devices, technological advancements are rapidly transforming the era. The smart stations to be created this time will be a pioneering case where local governments meet changing administrative demands according to the times and solve urban problems through new advanced technologies.”