Gangneung-si Launches Selection of Operators for 'Tourism Autonomous Vehicle' Pilot Operation Project

Temporary Operation Due to Designation of Pilot Operation Zone

Photo materials [Asia Economy DB]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Gangneung City, Gangwon Province, announced on the 4th that it has begun the selection process for businesses to provide a tourism-type temporary operation demonstration service within the "Autonomous Vehicle Pilot Operation Zone" designated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

On the 24th of last month, the city plans to select up to five private autonomous driving companies according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's announcement of the designation of the "Autonomous Vehicle Pilot Operation Zone," and temporarily operate tourism-type autonomous vehicles in the second half of this year.

The autonomous vehicle pilot operation zone includes a 5.8 km urban-tourist route connecting Olympic Park~Arte Museum~Chodang (Gangmun) and a 6 km historical, cultural, and ecological tourism route connecting Ojukheon~Seongyojang~Gyeongpodae (Gasiyun Wetland)~Gyeongpo Lake~Chodang (Gangmun).

It also includes a 4 km coastal tourism route connecting Anmok Beach to Gyeongpo Beach, totaling three routes covering 15.8 km.

In December last year, the city secured a total budget of 4.7 billion KRW (2.35 billion KRW national funds, 705 million KRW provincial funds, and 1.645 billion KRW city funds) by 2025 for operating autonomous vehicle services as part of the tourism hub city development project.

A city official stated, "As a representative domestic tourist city and the domestic candidate city for the 2026 ITS World Congress, Gangneung will provide commercial-level autonomous vehicle services to tourists and citizens visiting the city, enhancing the image of a smart tourism city and emerging as a model city for revitalizing the mobility industry."

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