Nowon-gu Enhances Pedestrian Rights by Improving Traffic Environment Around Schools

Nowon, Deokam, Gongneung, Taereung 4 Elementary Schools Receive Total 1.3 Billion KRW for Pedestrian Safety Facility Improvements Including Color Blocks, Speed Warning Signs, and Road Paving

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Nowon-gu (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) is improving the traffic environment around four elementary schools by the end of this month to enhance students' right to walk.

The total project cost is 1.3 billion KRW, targeting four schools: Nowon Elementary School in Sanggye 1-dong (width 4~8m, length 700m), Taereung Elementary School in Gongneung 2-dong (width 6~20m, length 1050m), Gongneung Elementary School in Gongneung 1-dong (width 4~12m, length 1400m), and Deokam Elementary School in Sanggye 3·4-dong (width 4~8m, length 750m).

The improved facilities include speed warning signs and traffic guidance signs to induce drivers to reduce their driving speed. To raise drivers' awareness, color pavement with enhanced colors and designs will be applied to create a bright and lively pedestrian-centered road environment.

These child protection zones have had narrow road widths, causing pedestrians and vehicles to share the space, increasing the risk of accidents due to speeding and carelessness during commuting hours. Additionally, the road surface condition and aging traffic facilities urgently required improvement.

In particular, the school route around Deokam Elementary School is a narrow downhill road where vehicle speeds tend to be high, posing a constant accident risk. The intersection in front of Nowon Elementary School lacks sidewalks, leading to continuous requests for improvement from parents.

Before implementing the project, a field survey was conducted until March, and during the basic design phase, joint meetings were held with school officials, local residents, the Green Mothers' Association, and the police station for each school to gather various opinions. After traffic review by the police station in June, the design plan was finalized, and phased construction began in July.

Meanwhile, the district will also renovate the side streets around Hangulbiseok-ro 1-gil (from Nowon Fire Station to Hyundai Oilbank) by the end of this year. This area serves as a school route for Hagye Middle School, Yongdong Elementary School, and kindergartens, and hosts many restaurants, where pedestrian safety measures have been consistently requested. The district plans to invest 1 billion KRW from district and city funds to repair aging sidewalks and roads and install design pavement (color blocks) to create a safe walking environment.

Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, “This traffic environment improvement project will greatly enhance pedestrian safety not only for nearby elementary students but also for residents,” adding, “We will continue to strive to create a safe traffic environment where both people and vehicles can travel comfortably.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.