Seocho-gu Uses AI to Detect Crowds and Disperse Citizens...Nation's First Introduction of Guidance Electronic Display Panels

District Introduces 'AI-Based Real-Time Congestion Guidance System' on LED Screens for Pedestrian Density...
Installed at Two Locations Along Approximately 300m from Exit 10 of Gangnam Station to Sinnonhyeon Station with High Foot Traffic...AI Automatically Measures People per ㎡ and Displays Crowd Density Messages with Three Color-Coded Levels on Screens...In Critical Stages, Announcements Are Broadcast via Nearby Speakers and Automatically Connected to City Hall, Police, and Fire Departments for Rapid Response

Electronic display board installed on Seocho-daero

Seocho-gu, the only autonomous district in Seoul certified as a smart city both domestically and internationally, is taking measures to prevent crowd accidents using AI (artificial intelligence). It automatically detects crowd density and displays it on on-site LED electronic boards, encouraging citizens to voluntarily disperse.

Seocho-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jeon Seong-su) will officially operate the 'AI-based Real-time Congestion Information System' in the major congested area around Gangnam Station.

This system, which monitors pedestrian flow in real time and displays congestion levels on electronic boards, is the first of its kind among local governments nationwide. The district expects that pedestrians will be able to recognize congestion in advance and take detours, enabling proactive prevention.

The installation locations are two spots along approximately a 300m section from Exit 10 of Gangnam Station to near Sinnonhyeon Station (Seocho-daero 77-gil 31, Gangnam-daero 65-gil 1). This area sees a floating population of about 160,000 people daily.

The system introduces 'people counting' using AI to automatically measure the number of people per square meter every second and broadcasts this on real-time electronic boards. CCTV footage is transmitted in real time to the Seocho Smart Hub Center, where an AI-based congestion video analysis system automatically analyzes pedestrian numbers and density per square meter.

Subsequently, the real-time congestion status is displayed in stages on 59-inch LED electronic boards installed around Gangnam Station.

The electronic boards display messages and colors in three stages according to crowd density. The stages are ▲ Safety and caution stage in green labeled ‘Smooth Walking’ (2 or fewer people per ㎡) ▲ Warning stage in yellow labeled ‘Slightly Crowded’ (3?4 people per ㎡) ▲ Severe stage in red labeled ‘Very Crowded’ (5 or more people per ㎡).

In particular, during the ‘Severe’ stage, announcements for pedestrian control are broadcast through CCTV speakers to encourage crowd dispersal and prevent safety accidents. Additionally, the system is automatically connected to the Seoul Disaster Situation Room, police, and fire departments to enable rapid response.

Moreover, the electronic boards are double-sided to be visible to many people and installed at a height of 7 meters for more accurate crowd density detection. Structural stability reviews have also been completed to ensure safety.

The district began developing this system in May and completed it last month. Accordingly, the LED electronic board display operation started in earnest this month.

Real-time Congestion Monitoring System

Meanwhile, in connection with this, from the 27th to the 31st during the Halloween period, joint inspections and patrols will be conducted at four multi-crowded areas including around Gangnam Station to prepare for crowd accidents. These joint patrols will be carried out with Seocho-gu Office, Seocho Police Station, Seocho Fire Station, and the Autonomous Crime Prevention Unit, implementing vehicle entry control and one-way traffic guidance during congestion.

Additionally, safety accident prevention notices will be distributed to about 100 food service establishments such as clubs and restaurants, and safety inspections including emergency exits and access routes will be conducted at 10 nearby large clubs.

Jeon Seong-su, Mayor of Seocho-gu, said, “We hope that the ‘AI-based Real-time Congestion Information System’ will help prevent safety accidents for residents and citizens,” adding, “We will continue to create a ‘Safe Smart City Seocho’ where residents can enjoy a secure and comfortable daily life.”

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