YONGIN — Yongin said on the 23rd that a completion ceremony was held at Baegam Elementary School in Baegam-myeon, Cheoin-gu, for the "SK Ecoplant Baegam Elementary School AI Smart Crosswalk and Yellow Carpet Project."
The ceremony, held the previous day, was attended by Hwang Jun-ki, Yongin's second vice mayor; Jang Han-gyu, executive vice president of SK Ecoplant; Park Chan-kyung, center head of ChildFund Korea's social contribution partnership division; and Lee Kyung-ho, principal of Baegam Elementary School.
The project was undertaken to improve pedestrian safety for children, older adults and others with limited mobility, and to create safer routes to school. Yongin, SK Ecoplant and ChildFund Korea signed a memorandum of understanding in July and have been carrying out the project since.
SK Ecoplant installed the advanced traffic safety equipment around the school as part of its social contribution programs. The move anticipates a possible increase in vehicle traffic from the development of the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster general industrial complex, and is designed to help students and drivers readily recognize traffic conditions.
The installed equipment includes an automatic walk-signal extension system, a warning system for right-turning vehicles, an AI video analysis system for sudden hazards, a voice guidance device for walk signals, a display showing remaining time on red signals, closed-circuit television cameras for monitoring, and a yellow carpet.
The AI smart crosswalk is a traffic facility that uses video analysis technology to track the movement of pedestrians and vehicles, signal status and surrounding conditions in real time. It automatically extends the walk signal when pedestrians remain in the crosswalk or when children and others with limited mobility are crossing, and issues warnings to approaching vehicles.
The yellow carpet marks the waiting area at a crosswalk in yellow, prompting children to wait for the signal in a safe spot. It also makes children and the waiting area easier for drivers to spot, encouraging them to slow down and drive with caution.
"A safe route to school is the basic environment that protects children's daily lives," Park said. "We will work with various organizations so that children can grow up healthy."
"We hope this project helps make children's trips to school safer," Jang said. "We will continue social contribution activities for future generations together with the local community."
"The advanced traffic safety equipment will contribute to pedestrian safety and accident prevention around Baegam Elementary School," Hwang said. "Through public-private cooperation, we will expand smart transportation services that residents can feel in their daily lives."