Incheon Namdong-gu Expands Vehicle Idling Restriction Zones from 51 to 81 Locations

Idling Restriction Area
Photo by Namdong-gu, Incheon

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Namdong-gu, Incheon announced on the 28th that it will expand the idling restriction zones from the existing 51 locations to 81 locations to improve air quality and save energy.

Last year, the district newly designated 30 idling restriction zones including public parking lots and bus garages, and this year, new signs were installed at 57 locations including the newly designated areas and existing damaged signposts.

Vehicle idling emits exhaust gases containing nitrogen oxides, which cause fine dust and lead to air pollution.

According to the Ministry of Environment, a passenger car (based on fuel efficiency of 12 km/L) consumes about 138cc of fuel, enough to drive approximately 1.6 km, when idling for 10 minutes a day, resulting in an annual waste of 50 liters of fuel.

A fine of 50,000 KRW is imposed if idling exceeds 3 minutes in the idling restriction zones. However, exceptions apply to emergency vehicles, refrigerated and freezer trucks, and vehicles undergoing maintenance where idling is unavoidable.

A Namdong-gu official stated, "Operating idling restriction zones has the dual effect of reducing fine dust caused by exhaust gases and practicing energy conservation, achieving two goals with one effort."

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