SK Ecoplant has built an advanced traffic safety system using artificial intelligence video analysis to make school commutes safer for children in the local community.
The company said on the 23rd that it held a completion ceremony for the AI Smart Crosswalk and Yellow Carpet project near Baegam Elementary School in Cheoin-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. Officials from Yongin City, the child welfare organization ChildFund Korea and the school attended the event. The project was designed to pre-emptively eliminate accident risks within the school zone and create safer routes to and from school.
The AI smart crosswalk combines AI video analysis with traffic safety technology to detect and analyze pedestrians, passing vehicles, signal status and unexpected situations in real time. When a pedestrian remains on the crosswalk or when the system detects children, older adults or others with limited mobility crossing the street, it automatically extends the pedestrian signal, sends warnings to approaching vehicles and broadcasts alerts about the situation.
The site is equipped with a comprehensive set of systems, including the automatic pedestrian signal extension system, a right-turn vehicle warning system, an AI video analysis system for unexpected situations, a voice warning system for jaywalking, a red-light countdown display, closed-circuit television cameras for monitoring and a Yellow Carpet. The Yellow Carpet marks the pavement and wall at the crosswalk entrance in yellow, encouraging children to wait inside the safe zone while helping drivers see them and slow down.
The area around Baegam Elementary School sees frequent heavy vehicle traffic because of a nearby general industrial complex, and residents have consistently called for more safety facilities. SK Ecoplant funded the entire project and worked with the local government and related agencies to complete the technology-based pedestrian safety infrastructure.
SK Ecoplant has steadily pursued community-tailored social contribution programs linked to its corporate capabilities. It runs a "Happy Safety Classroom" program focused on first aid for nearby elementary schools and is carrying out projects to improve housing conditions for vulnerable groups. In April, it deployed AI marine cleanup robots along the coast of Ulsan, expanding its technology-based model for social contribution.
"We hope that traffic safety facilities using AI technology will provide real help in creating a safe commuting environment for children," an SK Ecoplant official said. "We will continue to listen to the issues that local communities need addressed and sustain social contribution activities that bring about real change."