Oh Se-hoon "Top 5 Autonomous Driving City by 2026"... 148.7 Billion Won Invested in Infrastructure Development

'Autonomous Driving Vision 2030' Announcement
Expanding Commercial Autonomous Vehicle Hubs from Sangam to Gangnam, Yeouido, Magok... Level 4 Robotaxi Operation in Gangnam
City Loop Autonomous Bus on Cheonggyecheon from April Next Year, Public Services like Cleaning, Patrol, Snow Removal by 2025

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon plans to invest 148.7 billion KRW by 2026 to establish autonomous driving infrastructure throughout Seoul. Starting with Sangam, where autonomous vehicles will begin operation at the end of this month, additional autonomous driving pilot zones will be designated in Gangnam, Yeouido, and Magok to expand key areas.

On the 24th, Mayor Oh announced the 'Seoul Autonomous Driving Vision 2030' and stated that autonomous driving infrastructure will be built across various parts of Seoul by 2026. The 'Seoul Autonomous Driving Vision 2030' is a basic plan in the autonomous driving sector to achieve the 'Smart Three-dimensional Transportation City' presented earlier in 'Seoul Vision 2030,' marking the first local government project related to autonomous driving.

The 'Seoul Autonomous Driving Vision 2030' will be promoted in five areas: ▲expansion of autonomous vehicle pilot zones and commercialization of mobility services ▲operation of autonomous buses in Cheonggyecheon ▲establishment of autonomous buses as public transportation ▲introduction of autonomous vehicle-based urban management in public service sectors ▲construction of autonomous driving infrastructure throughout Seoul.

First, autonomous vehicles will begin operation in Sangam, the first designated 'autonomous driving pilot zone,' from the end of November. After one month of free operation, paid transportation will commence. Seoul plans to designate Gangnam as a pilot zone next year, Yeouido in 2023, and Magok in 2024. The goal is to introduce services with more than 300 autonomous vehicles by 2026. Additionally, from as early as April next year, an urban-circulation autonomous bus will operate in Cheonggyecheon, a popular urban attraction visited by 40 million people annually.

Mayor Oh explained, "In the Gangnam area, we plan to operate Level 4 robo-taxis (unmanned autonomous taxis) starting early next year," adding, "In April next year, we will operate an urban-circulation autonomous bus in Cheonggyecheon, connecting Gyeongbokgung, Changgyeonggung, Gwangjang Market, and Dongdaemun as a mobility service, while also providing various opportunities for citizens to experience autonomous vehicles as a means of tourism."

In 2023, a pilot operation of autonomous route buses (Hongdae~Jonggak~Heunginjimun) will begin, with the goal of establishing autonomous buses as a public transportation mode by 2026. Seoul plans to create a new route connecting Hongdae~Sinchon~Jonggak~Heunginjimun (9.7 km), which has high nighttime mobility, allowing use of the central lane during late hours. In 2024, additional long-distance nighttime autonomous bus routes connecting downtown and sub-centers will be operated, including ▲Yeouido~Downtown~Dobong (24.6 km) ▲Susaek~Downtown~Sangbong (23.8 km) ▲Gupabal~Downtown~Gangnam (24.6 km).

From 2025, autonomous vehicles will be introduced in urban management public services such as patrol, cleaning, and snow removal. Before the commercial sale of Level 4 autonomous vehicles in 2027, autonomous driving infrastructure will be established throughout Seoul by 2026. To ensure safe urban operation of autonomous vehicles, Seoul will digitize traffic signal information at all 4,291 signal intersections and provide it in 0.1-second intervals. This system will support safe autonomous vehicle operation 24/7, even in adverse weather conditions such as snow, rain, and fog, as well as in cases of vision sensor errors or malfunctions in signal recognition.

Furthermore, Mayor Oh presented a vision to build autonomous driving infrastructure on all roads with two or more lanes in Seoul by 2026 and to gradually introduce services that citizens can use in daily life, aiming to leap to a 'Top 5 Autonomous Driving City' by 2026 and to rank among the world's top three by 2030, thereby enhancing urban competitiveness.

Mayor Oh stated, "The future city of Seoul with autonomous driving is significant not only because it frees people from driving but also because it guarantees all citizens, regardless of age, gender, or whether they have a driver's license, the freedom of movement without discrimination 24 hours a day," adding, "As the demand for vehicles and parking decreases, more than 30% of existing roadways can be converted into sidewalks, recreating Seoul's urban space centered on pedestrians."

Meanwhile, Seoul aims to accelerate commercialization by operating a public-private-academic-research council that encompasses companies, universities, and research institutions related to autonomous driving, recognizing that commercialization cannot be achieved by the city's efforts alone.

Mayor Oh emphasized, "By expanding autonomous driving infrastructure throughout Seoul, we will make Seoul a top 5 autonomous driving leading city by 2026," adding, "By 2030, Seoul will be remembered as a city where freedom of movement without discrimination is guaranteed, traffic accidents are eliminated, the number of cars decreases, and pedestrians, bicycles, and logistics robots share the roads comfortably, becoming a standard model city for autonomous driving."

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