It Takes an Average of 18 Minutes to Transfer Subways in a Wheelchair... Navigation Inside Stations Will Assist

Smart Navigation for Transportation Vulnerable Groups

Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) announced on the 17th that it will undertake research and development of a 'customized smart navigation system within urban railway stations for transportation-vulnerable individuals' by December 2023.

This research is being promoted as part of a government R&D project selected under the 'Public Innovation Demand-Based New Technology Commercialization' initiative.

Inside railway station buildings and underground stations of the metropolitan subway, GPS signals are not received, so navigation guidance services are currently provided only in certain sections equipped with separate devices.

By using smart navigation, users can identify the station's internal structure with just a smartphone, without the need for additional infrastructure equipment. Users receive optimal route guidance and safety information from the ground level to the platform, and can also identify alternative routes in case of elevator malfunctions.

According to the Korea Consumer Agency's 'Safety Status Survey of Convenience Facilities for Disabled Persons in Subways (2018)', wheelchair users take an average of 18 minutes to transfer within the metropolitan subway, experiencing inconvenience that is 4.5 times longer than that of non-disabled individuals.

Na Hee-seung, President of KORAIL, stated, "We will minimize transfer inconveniences through precise guidance inside urban railway stations," adding, "Through expanding services for socially vulnerable groups and ESG management, we will realize a more convenient and safer railway system for the public."

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