Seoul City Provides 'Forecast Service' Before Traffic Control in Frequent Flooding Areas like Jamsugyo Bridge

Advance Notice of Control Zones Upon Reaching Han River Boundary Water Level to Guide Detours

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government is launching a traffic control forecast service that notifies in advance before road traffic control is implemented due to heavy rain. The existing method, which informed about control after it was imposed, will change to a system that notifies the sections scheduled for control once the Han River water level reaches the 'alert level.'

On the 12th, Seoul announced that in cooperation with the Seoul Facilities Corporation, it will pilot the service on expressways prone to frequent flooding and heavy damage during traffic control, such as Olympic-daero (Yeoui Upper and Lower IC), Gangbyeonbuk-ro (under Han River Railroad Bridge), Dongbu Expressway (from Yongbi Bridge to Wolgye 1 Bridge), and from Jamsu Bridge. The service will be expanded to general roads near rivers in the future.

The 'Traffic Control Forecast Service' provides advance notice of planned traffic control on TOPIS when river water levels reach a certain threshold (alert level) due to heavy rain, anticipating road flooding. During heavy rain, traffic control on roads adjacent to rivers is carried out in sequence based on preset river water levels: preparation for control upon reaching the alert level, and implementation of control upon reaching the danger level.

The traffic control forecast is announced via Variable Message Signs (VMS) installed on major roads with messages such as "OO-daero OO~OO section scheduled for control (flood risk), detour recommended." Seoul is also working on notifying drivers in nearby vehicles through navigation apps and other means.

Meanwhile, Seoul plans to provide weather and control information centered on the TOPIS website and mobile app during heavy rain (operating pop-up windows), enabling citizens to easily find information on control status across Seoul at a glance and use the service more quickly and conveniently.

Baek Ho, Director of Urban Transportation at Seoul City, said, "Last summer, unexpected heavy rain caused significant inconvenience to citizens." He added, "As the frequency and scale of heavy rain are expected to increase due to climate change this year as well, Seoul will provide advance notice and take proactive measures to protect citizens' safety and minimize damage."

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