Songpa-gu Strengthens Child Traffic Safety as the Nation's First 'Smart Traffic Safety Keeper'

Integration of Latest Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for Audiovisual Warning at Vehicle Approach in Intersection... Expected Prevention of Safety Accidents at Signal-Free Intersection in Front of Pungnap Elementary School Main Gate

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Songpa-gu (Mayor Park Seong-su) is taking the lead in preventing vehicle accidents in school zones by installing the nation’s first ‘Songpa-type Smart Traffic Safety Keeper’ in front of elementary schools.

The main gate area of Pungnap Elementary School is an unsignalized intersection where a general road and a side road meet. Large cargo vehicles from the nearby Sampyo factory, along with vehicles going straight, turning right, and turning left, enter simultaneously, raising concerns about safety accidents.

In response, the district plans to ensure the safety of both drivers and pedestrians by introducing the ‘Smart Traffic Safety Keeper,’ which incorporates advanced information and communication technology (ICT).

The ‘Smart Traffic Safety Keeper’ is a traffic safety system composed of ▲vehicle video detectors ▲LED electronic display boards ▲embedded landscape lighting ▲and highly directional speakers.

When a vehicle enters the intersection in front of the school, it is detected and recognized by video, the embedded landscape lights illuminate, and warning images and messages appear on the electronic display board.

Additionally, voice guidance is transmitted through the highly directional speakers to alert child pedestrians. When no vehicles are approaching, the display board shows traffic safety messages using ‘Songsong Papa,’ the Songpa-gu character, to raise children’s safety awareness.

Concerns about complaints due to 24-hour operation of the ‘Smart Traffic Safety Keeper’ were also taken into account. By applying highly directional speakers, voice guidance does not spread to the surroundings, and the brightness of the display board is adjusted at night to prevent noise and light pollution complaints in advance.

Construction began in April and will be completed by the end of July. For more details, please contact the Traffic Division of Songpa-gu Office.

Mayor Park Seong-su said, “Since the beginning of my term, I have deeply recognized the importance of children’s traffic safety and installed advanced traffic safety facilities such as speed signal enforcement CCTV and real-time right-turn video alerts.” He added, “Based on this project, it will raise awareness among both drivers and pedestrians, encourage safe driving and walking, and have a significant effect on preventing children’s traffic accidents.”

Meanwhile, this year, Songpa-gu plans to promote new projects in school zones including the ‘Smart Traffic Safety Keeper’ project, ▲‘Songpa-type Smart Intersection System’ in front of Munjeong Elementary School, ▲installation of runway-style crosswalks, ▲creation of safe school routes on side roads near Jamjeon Elementary School, ▲speed enforcement CCTV, and ▲additional installation of sign-block type yellow carpets and yellow footprints.

Going forward, Songpa-gu will proactively expand traffic safety facilities to create a district free of children’s traffic accidents.

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