The railway system is also being transformed into an intelligent and unmanned system by utilizing cutting-edge ICT technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), 5G/6G, and digital twins.

On the 2nd, the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) and the Korea Railroad Corporation decided to establish a cooperative system for cutting-edge ICT technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), digital twin networks (DTN), and 5G/6G to make national railways smart.

The main contents of this cooperation are as follows: △Joint use and verification of railway information and communication network data, △Promotion of next-generation railway communication network verification project, △Measures to build and expand a smart railway station system, △Commercialization of next-generation mobile communication, DTN, and AI-based railway control system, △Discovery of convergence-type national tasks based on information and communication technology to strengthen the global competitiveness of railway technology, etc.

Korea Railroad Corporation is establishing a future-oriented railway infrastructure management system with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality, and ETRI possesses R&D and core technologies related to advanced information and communication networks.

The two organizations plan to achieve co-evolution of railways and communications through periodic technological exchanges and cooperation, and strengthen cooperation in verification of cutting-edge challenging technologies.

Lee Seong-hae, Chairman of the Korea Railroad Corporation, expressed his expectations, saying, “The introduction of the latest ICT technology and digital twins will realize safety and innovation in the railroad.”

ETRI President Seung-chan Bang said, “Based on Korea’s leading technology,“It will contribute to the digitalization of our railway network and the expansion of our overseas business,” he said.