[Report] Fire Trucks Recognized from 150m Away... Construction Sites Warned in Advance

KT Completes Intelligent Transportation System Demonstration Project in Ulsan Using Proprietary Mobility Technology

On the afternoon of the 11th, boarding the next-generation intelligent transportation system (C-ITS) demonstration bus built by KT and Ulsan City. Photo by Cha Min-young

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] "An emergency vehicle is approaching, please yield!"

On the afternoon of the 11th, while riding a demonstration bus for the next-generation intelligent transportation system (C-ITS) built by KT and Ulsan City and passing through the national road (Iye-ro), a 'beep' alarm sounded along with a voice announcement. Looking at the terminal screen, an emergency vehicle was approaching from 10 meters behind. With both auditory and visual cues, passengers could quickly recognize the vehicle. Later, as the bus neared a roadside construction site, an announcement stating "Construction in progress" was heard.

According to KT, vehicles equipped with C-ITS terminals provide voice guidance when emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire trucks, or police cars approach. The system is designed to notify C-ITS-equipped vehicles of the emergency vehicle's location from 150 meters away. This eliminates situations where drivers fail to notice or respond slowly due to blind spots. Lee Seung-il, Senior Researcher of the TI Platform Team at Naver Systems’ IoT Convergence Business Division, participating in the demonstration project, explained, "Currently, the system is being piloted at five locations within the Ulsan Northern Fire Station, and development for ambulances and police cars has been completed, making it fully operational."

Ulsan Traffic Management Center staff monitoring the traffic situation in downtown Ulsan. Photo by Cha Min-young

The core of C-ITS is close connectivity based on communication technology. To achieve this, various mobility technologies have been employed. For example, the AI traffic video analysis solution ‘RoadEyes’ uses CCTV to analyze traffic and hazardous situations through AI video analysis. The AI traffic optimization prediction solution ‘Traffic Twin’ improves traffic congestion using AI-based data learning. Additionally, the intelligent control platform ‘Mobility Makers’ manages all spatial areas necessary for autonomous driving. The AI-based signal optimization service, to be completed in Bucheon City this September as the first of its kind in Korea, automatically controls traffic signals during peak commuting hours when vehicle congestion occurs. Instead of expensive terminals, it can also be accessed conveniently via an Android application (app). Mobile-based C-ITS technology links affordable onboard units (OBUs) with smartphones to reduce user costs. In front of Ulsan City Hall, a special crosswalk with a 6-second extended green light has been installed. It recognizes pedestrians such as children and the elderly who have not yet fully crossed during the green signal and extends the crossing time accordingly.

Mobile-based C-ITS Android app screen capture. Photo by Cha Min-young

KT, transforming into a digital platform company, plans to leverage the C-ITS demonstration projects established in Jeju and Ulsan to strengthen its AI and mobility business sectors. After completing the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province C-ITS demonstration project in 2020, KT finished building C-ITS in Ulsan Metropolitan City last month. The contracted project scale amounts to 46.3 billion KRW. Expanding the scope to ITS, the scale increases to 126 billion KRW across seven regions.

While the previous Jeju project focused on a tourism-specialized driving environment centered on rental cars, the Ulsan project emphasizes an industrial city environment centered on freight trucks. Reflecting Ulsan’s industrial city characteristics, 28 types of real-time information are provided, including overspeed warnings for freight trucks and notifications for exceeding recommended driving times. As a representative service, an ‘AI-based video analysis solution’ specialized for freight trucks and public transportation was applied for the first time in Korea. The demonstration project involved freight trucks, buses, taxis, and others. Choi Kang-rim, Executive Director of KT AI Mobility Business Division, said, “KT has accumulated technology through the construction and demonstration experience of C-ITS, ITS, and autonomous driving projects conducted in more than ten local governments, developing KT’s unique traffic DX solutions. We will provide technology to strong small and medium enterprises in the industry to lead Korea’s intelligent transportation system with more differentiated business models.”

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