Yangcheon-gu Expands Installation of 'Smart Maru' at Bus Stops

Creation of Bus Waiting Area in Sinwol 4-dong Integrating ICT and IoT Technologies with 24-Hour Remote Control and Management... Smart HVAC, Air Purifiers to Block Heatwaves, Cold Snaps, and Fine Dust... Intelligent CCTV and AI Detect Abnormal Situations Shared in Real-Time at Integrated Control Center for Emergency Dispatch... Public Wi-Fi, Wired and Wireless Phone Charging, Traffic Information and District News, Life Information Monitors for Temperature and Humidity Provided

Yangcheon-gu (Mayor Lee Gi-jae) announced the additional opening of the ‘Smart Maru,’ an advanced bus stop integrating information and communication technology (ICT) and Internet of Things (IoT) technology, in the area of 545-8 Sinwol-dong.

This is the third transportation convenience facility following the Mokdong University Academy and Sinjeong Intersection Fountain Plaza installed in 2021. It was newly established in Sinwol 4-dong with approximately 120 million KRW in noise countermeasure resident support funds provided by the Korea Airports Corporation to improve the public transportation environment for residents affected by aircraft noise. The location is a busy area with a concentration of dining streets, banks, and hospitals nearby.

‘Smart Maru’ combines the pure Korean word ‘Maru,’ meaning the top of a mountain, with ‘Smart,’ representing various future technologies, symbolizing the provision of a safe and comfortable bus waiting environment for residents.

‘Smart Maru’ is equipped with heating and cooling systems, automatic air purifiers, and air curtains to protect bus users from heatwaves, cold waves, fine dust, and exhaust fumes. All systems and devices within ‘Smart Maru’ are connected to IoT sensors and linked to the integrated control center, allowing 24-hour uninterrupted remote control and management.

In particular, intelligent closed-circuit cameras (CCTV) are installed both inside and outside, enabling artificial intelligence to detect abnormal behavior or emergencies and share real-time situations with the integrated control center for prompt emergency dispatch.

Additionally, the bus approach status on nearby roads is displayed on internal monitors, allowing users to comfortably check bus locations from inside.

Moreover, it offers free public Wi-Fi, wired and wireless mobile phone chargers with heating functions, and smart convenience features useful in daily life through electronic billboards (digital signage) that display indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity, fine dust levels, public transportation operation information, and district promotional videos. Safety is enhanced with an open glass structure and emergency bells, and fire extinguishers are placed for quick response in case of fire or similar emergencies.

Meanwhile, the annual number of users of Yangcheon-gu’s ‘Smart Maru’ (based on the existing two locations) has steadily increased from 126,000 in 2021, when it first opened, to 331,000, establishing itself as a representative transportation welfare facility.

Lee Gi-jae, Mayor of Yangcheon-gu, said, “We are opening an additional bus stop shelter equipped with smart technology in Sinwol-dong to make waiting for the bus a comfortable rest. We will continue to expand administrative services incorporating innovative technologies throughout daily life areas to become a smart city Yangcheon that residents can truly experience.”

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