Mayor Lee Donghwan: "24-Hour Initial Response System in Operation to Secure the 'Golden Time' for Snow Removal"

Goyang City Launches Winter Response System for Heavy Snow and Cold Waves
Strengthening Initial Response Across 808 km and 1,576 Routes
Customized Snow Removal for Icing-Prone and Vulnerable Road Sections
Comprehensive Public Safety Measures for All Aspects of Winter Safety

Goyang Special City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Donghwan) will operate a rapid initial snow removal system this winter, covering 1,576 routes and a total distance of 808 kilometers, to prepare for sudden cold snaps and unexpected snowfall. The city plans to protect the lives and property of its citizens by implementing proactive snow removal and public safety measures based on active administration.

Lee Donghwan, Mayor of Goyang Special City, inspecting winter road snow removal measures for 2025-2026. Provided by Goyang Special City

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, temperatures and precipitation this winter are expected to be similar to average years. However, the city has determined that proactive preparation is necessary due to the recent increase in abnormal cold waves and sudden heavy snowfalls. In fact, the number of heavy snow warnings has increased over the past three years: three days in 2022, six days in 2023, and eight days in 2024. The cumulative snowfall has also risen from 16 centimeters in 2022 to 19 centimeters in 2023 and 42 centimeters in 2024.

Securing the 'Golden Time' Through Advance Preparation... 24-Hour Initial Response System in Operation

According to Goyang Special City on November 14, the city has designated the period from November 15 to March 20 of next year as the snow removal measures period and will fully operate a 24-hour situation management system. In particular, the system has been improved to enable snow removal within the 'golden time' by responding early before snow compaction and road icing occur during snowfall.

When a weather advisory is issued, emergency duty begins four hours before snowfall, and one hour before, snow removal personnel and equipment are deployed to the field. If the probability of snowfall is forecast to be 60% or higher, liquid de-icing agents are pre-applied to vulnerable areas such as uphill roads, underpasses, and overpasses. Snow removal agents are also distributed and stocked at key locations for immediate deployment.

To enhance initial response capabilities, the number of remote-controlled automatic brine spraying devices has been increased to 47 locations. The city has also secured and operates a total of 574 snow removal machines, including 194 snow removal vehicles and 206 spreaders.

Additionally, 73 snow removal vehicles operating on major routes are equipped with smart sensors and cameras, enabling IoT-based smart snow removal work that allows for real-time monitoring of vehicle locations and road conditions. This minimizes redundant snow removal and the occurrence of blind spots.

For pedestrian safety, the city is installing anti-slip pavement blocks and conducting curb burner work. It is also piloting smart road pavement that changes color based on road surface conditions and anti-icing pavement to prevent pedestrian slip accidents. After analyzing the effectiveness of these projects, the city plans to expand their application in stages.

Smart Snow Removal Situation Management Platform Established. Provided by Goyang Special City

Customized Snow Removal for Road Conditions... Minimizing Citizen Inconvenience on Local Roads and Village Alleys

The city has stockpiled a total of 19,587 tons of snow removal agents, including 5,278 tons of eco-friendly de-icing agents and 14,309 tons of calcium chloride, which is 144% of the average annual usage. To increase response speed during heavy snowfall, four road snow removal bases and six forward bases in Daeja-dong, Haengju-dong, Jichuk-dong, Daehwa-dong, and Beopgot-dong have been established, with 254 dedicated snow removal personnel deployed.

In particular, eight major routes connecting to and from Seoul, such as Jayuro 1 and 2, Tongil-ro, Hoguk-ro, Jungang-ro, and Gwon Yul-daero, as well as 22 vulnerable areas including interchanges, bridges, and slopes, have been designated as key management sections for intensive management.

To address inefficiencies caused by differences in snow removal operations between local governments at the city boundary sections, Goyang has established a cooperative system with Seoul for wide-area snow removal operations. Intensive snow removal will be conducted before rush hours to minimize inconvenience for citizens.

In areas prone to black ice, such as Hallyu World IC, Beopgot Underpass, Dongsan, Byeokje, and Seongsa Overpasses, snow removal equipment and agents are pre-deployed. When temperatures drop below 2 degrees Celsius, patrols are intensified to check for road icing and respond immediately. In addition, 15 sloped sections, including Suktol, Nakta, Mokam, Hyeumryeong, Dwitbak, and Nogosan hills, are equipped with automatic brine spraying facilities to ensure timely snow removal.

Recognizing that administrative resources alone are insufficient to clear all local roads, the city is expanding its 'Clear the Snow in Front of My House and Shop' campaign with citizen participation. A total of 589 snow removal boxes are being placed on local roads such as school routes and residential areas, and a snow removal volunteer group comprised of local organizations, residents, and students is being operated, centered around community welfare centers.

In rural areas, the city is collaborating with tractor snow removal volunteer groups to support snow removal on village alleys. Ten automatic spreaders for sidewalks are being introduced on a trial basis to clear snow in areas where vehicle access is difficult.

Tractor snow removal operation. Provided by Goyang Special City

Comprehensive Winter Public Safety Response: Protecting Vulnerable Groups and Inspecting Frozen Pipes and Structures

Alongside snow removal, the city is operating a comprehensive response system covering all aspects of winter public safety.

For vulnerable groups struggling with the cold, 148 warming shelters are being operated and winter supplies are being provided. The city is also supporting meal programs for children at risk of missing meals during winter vacation, as well as heating cost subsidies for elderly and severely disabled households, to help stabilize the lives of vulnerable residents.

A 24-hour emergency response system is also in place to prevent water meter freeze accidents. Upon receiving a freeze report, teams are dispatched immediately to thaw and replace damaged meters free of charge. Households vulnerable to freezing are identified and provided with insulation materials as a priority.

The city is also inspecting 494 residential greenhouses and structures vulnerable to snow accumulation, requesting owners and occupants to repair and reinforce buildings. At the same time, a pre-cooperation system with the police has been established for access control and evacuation in case of weather advisories or other risk signs. In the event of damage, an emergency response headquarters will be activated, consisting of relief, facility repair, and damage assessment teams. In accordance with emergency equipment mobilization agreements with the military, necessary equipment and relief supplies will be rapidly deployed.

Snow Removal Measures Period Action Guidelines Leaflet. Provided by Goyang Special City

As unpredictable weather events become more frequent due to climate change, the city is operating a comprehensive response system based on active administration to create a proactive and safe city where citizens can feel secure.

Mayor Lee Donghwan emphasized, "We will operate a comprehensive response system to prepare for unpredictable situations caused by the climate crisis," and added, "We will build a proactive and safe city where citizens can spend the winter with peace of mind."

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