INCHEON — Drivers in Incheon will soon be able to see on their car navigation systems how many seconds remain on the traffic light ahead and on pedestrian crossing signals at right turns. The city has expanded the number of intersections whose signal data is open to the public to 1,635, the largest figure among local governments in South Korea.
The city said on the 14th that it will open real-time traffic signal data from 800 intersections on major roads to private navigation operators starting in November.
The move nearly doubles the number of intersections with open signal data to 1,635 from 835. That accounts for 40.2% of the city's 4,069 signal-controlled intersections, the highest disclosure rate in the country.
The collected signal data will be reflected in real time on T Map, Kakao Navi, Naver Map and the factory-installed navigation systems in Hyundai Motor and Kia vehicles. Drivers will be able to check the color of the light and the remaining time in seconds while driving, allowing them to avoid excessive speeding or sudden braking.
Pedestrian signal data for crossings at right turns, where the risk of accidents is high, will also be opened. Drivers will be able to see how much time is left on the pedestrian signal before making a right turn, which is expected to help prevent collisions with pedestrians.
Fewer instances of rapid acceleration, sudden braking and unnecessary idling are also expected to improve traffic flow in urban areas and reduce carbon emissions.
The city plans to work with the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency on a two-month trial run from November through December to make a final check on communication conditions and the stability of the signal display.
"By expanding the disclosure of signal data, we will provide a safety service that residents can feel in their daily lives," said Park Sung-soon, director general of the city's transportation policy bureau. "We will continue to expand our advanced intelligent transport systems."