It is expected that autonomous driving services will expand in daily life, such as long-distance cargo transport using autonomous vehicles between Gunsan and Jeonju in North Jeolla Province and the introduction of autonomous early morning buses in Seoul that pick up passengers earlier than the first buses.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (Minister Park Sang-woo) announced that it will designate four autonomous vehicle pilot operation zones in the first half of 2024 after deliberation by the Autonomous Vehicle Pilot Operation Zone Committee.

Two new pilot operation areas have been designated in Gunsan-Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do and Dangjin, Chungcheongnam-do, and the autonomous vehicle operation sections have been expanded in two pilot operation areas, including the Seoul Central Bus-Only Lane and Naepo New Town, Chungcheongnam-do, which were previously designated.

The new section between Gunsan and Jeonju in North Jeolla Province is the first pilot operation zone to challenge autonomous cargo transport since the introduction of the pilot operation zone system. It is part of a metropolitan core logistics network (61.3 km in length) that transports special cargo through customs clearance areas in the Gunsan Port area to the Jeonju logistics center.

Jeonbuk plans to complete technology verification within this year and operate a paid autonomous vehicle cargo transport service from early next year.

In the Seoul expansion, in addition to the existing late-night route (Hapjeong Station - Cheongnyangni Station) that utilizes autonomous buses, autonomous buses will also be introduced on the early morning route (Dobongsan - Yeongdeungpo Station) starting in October of this year.

On this route, autonomous buses depart earlier (3:30) than the existing first bus (3:57), allowing for early departure times.He is responsible for Min's commute to work.

In addition, in Chungnam, a pilot operation area has been designated for the Dangjin New Town and Naepo New Town expansion, and it is expected that autonomous vehicles will become a new way for citizens in areas where existing public transportation conditions are poor.

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Park Sang-woo (Co-chair of the Demonstration Operation Zone Committee) said, “Autonomous driving is a core technology for the transition to future mobility and can enhance public convenience and publicness, but at the same time, it is a new technology that must necessarily ensure safety.” He added, “We will further detail government policies so that autonomous driving services can become established as safe services in people’s daily lives through rigorous verification in designated demonstration operation zones across the country.”