Autonomous Vehicles Operating Nationwide... 10 New Pilot Zones Designated for Test Drives

With the government newly designating 10 autonomous vehicle pilot operation zones, autonomous vehicles will now operate in all provinces and cities nationwide.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 28th that, after deliberation by the Autonomous Vehicle Pilot Operation Zone Committee, 10 new autonomous vehicle pilot operation zones were designated across 7 provinces and cities. The newly designated areas include Anyang in Gyeonggi, Guwol, Songdo, Yeongjong, and the International Airport in Incheon, Ulsan, Dongseong-ro in Daegu, Gyeongju in Gyeongbuk, Sacheon in Gyeongnam, and Haenam in Jeonnam.

The existing five pilot operation zones (Pangyo in Gyeonggi, Gangneung in Gangwon, Gyeongbuk Provincial Office, Jeju, and the Chungcheong region) had their routes changed or expanded through committee deliberation. Autonomous vehicle pilot operation zones are areas where certain safety standards are partially exempted and special provisions for paid passenger and freight transport are granted to promote research and development of autonomous vehicles. Since the first designation in November 2020, a total of six designations have been made to date.

Meanwhile, in the annual performance evaluation of pilot operation zones conducted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the ‘Seoul Sangam’ zone received an A grade (very excellent) this year. The evaluation covered 14 zones designated as pilot operation zones before the first half of last year.

Four zones?Gwangju, Seoul Cheonggyecheon, Jeju, and Pangyo in Gyeonggi?received a B grade (excellent), two zones?Chungcheong region and Daegu?received a C grade (somewhat excellent), one zone?Gangneung in Gangwon?received a D grade (average), and six zones?Gangnam in Seoul, Sejong, Gunsan in Jeonbuk, Siheung in Gyeonggi, Suncheon in Jeonnam, and Wonju in Gangwon?received an E grade (insufficient).

Won Hee-ryong, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said, "As the autonomous driving demonstration spaces have expanded nationwide, more active demonstrations and technology development are expected," adding, "We will continue policies to expand demonstration projects to actively support the private sector’s innovative will."

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