Mapo-gu Develops Nation's First SOS One-Stop System to Create Safe Bicycle Paths

[Seoul District News] Installation of Basic Number Plates Displaying Bicycle Path Names and Location Numbers in Road Name Address Format · Emergency Calls or Texts Possible via QR Code Without Additional Address Explanation... Gangnam-gu Starts Development of 'National Safety Platform' · AI Tracks Missing Persons' Routes ... Geumcheon-gu U-Integrated Operation Center Ranked 3rd Best Control Center

A signboard indicating the location of road facilities such as places without buildings, streetlights, and utility poles using road names and basic numbers

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Mapo-gu (Mayor Park Gang-su) announced on the 21st that it has installed basic number plates in the form of road name addresses equipped with an ‘SOS One-Stop System’ that allows rescue requests in case of accidents along the bicycle paths near Hongjecheon and Bulgwangcheon.

Recently, as the number of people using bicycles for commuting and hobbies has increased, bicycle accidents have also been on the rise. However, there are almost no buildings or facilities along the bicycle paths to describe the location to rescue teams in case of an accident, making it difficult to request rescue quickly and accurately.

To solve this, the district installed 282 ‘basic number plates’ indicating the bicycle path name and location number in both directions along about 16 km of bicycle paths on Hongjecheon and Bulgwangcheon, which connect to the Han River bicycle path. This essentially assigns road name addresses to the bicycle paths.

Additionally, to create a safe bicycle path, the district developed the nation’s first ‘SOS One-Stop System’ using the QR codes on the basic number plates. The ‘SOS One-Stop System’ is a system that reports the exact accident location to 119 in an emergency. When the QR code on the basic number plate is scanned with a mobile phone, the current location information is automatically displayed on the mobile device, and users can choose between calling or texting to request rescue. This allows socially vulnerable people who cannot speak or have difficulty communicating during an accident to easily request help.

Furthermore, emergency first aid videos can be viewed immediately through the QR code to help respond to urgent situations.

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, “With the creation of this safe bicycle path, we hope that residents using bicycles can conveniently confirm their location and receive prompt rescue in case of an accident. We will do our best to ensure that all Mapo residents can enjoy safe recreational activities.”

Gangnam-gu (Mayor Cho Seong-myeong) has embarked on developing a ‘National Safety Platform’ that analyzes CCTV footage using artificial intelligence (AI) convergence technology to quickly identify the movements of missing persons and assist their safe return home.

Gangnam-gu was finally selected as a demonstration institution in July by participating in the ‘2022 AI Convergence National Safety Assurance and Rapid Response Support Project’ hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National IT Industry Promotion Agency to prevent missing children and dementia patients.

The project will proceed in two phases this year and next year. The district has signed agreements with three companies?One More Security, Metrix, and Wonderful Platform?and has been developing an AI platform since this month that can analyze the missing person’s appearance, behavior patterns, and track objects in video footage. The Gangnam Control Center will analyze CCTV footage and plans to establish a linkage system with the National Police Agency within this year. In the second phase in 2023, the AI platform will be demonstrated using the 6,140 security CCTV cameras operating throughout Gangnam-gu, and full-scale public services will be launched.

According to Gangnam and Suseo Police Stations, there were 1,211 missing person cases in the area in 2021, of which 399 cases (33%) involved children (266 cases) and dementia patients (133 cases).

Especially, last year, the population aged 65 and over in Gangnam-gu accounted for 15% of the total population, approaching a super-aged society, raising the need for a safe return system to prepare for the increasing number of missing dementia elderly.

Cho Seong-myeong, Mayor of Gangnam-gu, said, “This project is the first demonstration case applying AI convergence technology to security CCTV, expected to secure the golden time for locating missing persons through intelligent tracking technology development and enable advanced early response. Going forward, under the 8th elected administration, Gangnam-gu will actively develop and utilize 4th industrial revolution innovative technologies to create a safe and happy Gangnam for residents.”

Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yoo Seong-hoon) announced that the Geumcheon-gu U-Integrated Operation Center was ranked ‘3rd Best Control Center’ in the first half of 2022 in the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s evaluation of CCTV control centers in Seoul’s autonomous districts.

This evaluation was conducted based on the control center’s performance in arresting criminals, preventing incidents and accidents, and outstanding cases.

In the first half of this year, Geumcheon-gu achieved 59 arrests through CCTV monitoring and situation dissemination. In the field of incident and accident prevention such as fires, it recorded 10,690 cases, demonstrating outstanding performance compared to other districts, and was selected as the Best Control Center for the third consecutive time following last year’s first and second halves.

Accordingly, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency plans to present a letter of appreciation to commend the excellent employees of Geumcheon-gu.

The Geumcheon-gu U-Integrated Operation Center maintains a 24-hour rapid response system with 16 personnel including control operators and police officers in cooperation with Geumcheon Police Station to prevent not only five major violent crimes but also fires and traffic safety accidents.

Yoo Seong-hoon, Mayor of Geumcheon-gu, said, “The integrated control center protects residents not only from crimes but also from disasters such as fires through real-time monitoring. We will continue to do our best to create a safe Geumcheon through meticulous CCTV control.”

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