Seoul Subway to Install 'Reverse Running Prevention Devices' on All Escalators

by Sung Kiho

Published 12 Oct.2023 07:33(KST)

'Automatic Safety Platforms' at 72 Stations

‘Reverse travel prevention devices’ will be installed on all escalators on Seoul Subway Lines 1 to 8. Additionally, ‘automatic safety platforms’ will be expanded at 72 stations where there is a wide gap between the platform and the train, raising concerns about passengers slipping through.

Seoul Metro announced on the 12th that it will begin environmental improvement work to prevent subway slipping accidents and safety accidents related to platform convenience facilities.

Maintenance company employees are repairing a broken escalator at Amsa Station on Seoul Metro Line 8. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

The company will install safety devices on 736 escalators out of the 1,833 currently in operation, excluding 1,097 escalators (60%) that already have reverse travel prevention safety devices installed. The plan is to complete installation on 116 escalators by the end of this year and 547 escalators by the first half of next year.

For 73 escalators where device installation is impossible due to structural issues, a total of 40.2 billion KRW will be invested from this year through 2025 to replace them sequentially.

Measures will also be taken against platform slipping accidents. From next year until 2025, foldable automatic safety platforms will be expanded and installed at 585 locations across 72 stations where the gap between the platform and the train is 130 mm or more.

The foldable automatic safety platform operates by rising when the train is confirmed to have stopped at the correct position in coordination with the platform safety doors, and lowering again after the doors close and sensors detect whether any passengers remain.

Although not subject to automatic safety platform installation, locations where the gap between the platform and the train exceeds 100 mm but is less than 130 mm, requiring caution against slipping, will have LED warning lights installed on the boarding position floor as a pilot project.

Baekho, President of Seoul Metro, said, "Despite being in a difficult financial situation, since resources have become available through subway fare increases, we will strive to improve services beyond the revenue generated from the fare hikes."