Building next-generation intelligent transportation systems and leading the way in technology
Sangam DMC autonomous bus pilot operation scheduled for the second half of 2019.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Seoul Metropolitan Government have decided to build a next-generation intelligent transportation system (C-ITS) in downtown Seoul and create an autonomous driving pilot zone to commercialize autonomous driving in urban areas.

This project is part of a next-generation intelligent transportation system demonstration project being promoted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Seoul Metropolitan Government to innovate traffic safety and establish a foundation for autonomous driving. To ensure the successful implementation of the project and mutual support, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Seoul Metropolitan Government will also sign a business agreement.

The plan to establish a pilot zone for autonomous cooperative driving in downtown Seoul consists of: △ leading fully autonomous driving technology as a pilot zone where Seoul City vehicles and road infrastructure cooperate; △ establishing the world's first integrated C-V2X and 5G convergence vehicle communication network; and △ pilot operation of unmanned autonomous buses in Sangam DMC in the second half of 2019.

As part of the next-generation intelligent transportation system (C-ITS) construction project being implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Seoul Metropolitan Government will establish a pilot zone for highly autonomous cooperative driving on general roads in the Sangam DMC area by 2019.

After gathering opinions from relevant organizations, including autonomous vehicle temporary operation permit agencies, experts, and partners, the pilot zones were selected through a comprehensive review of factors such as the driving environment, suitability for autonomous driving, and ease of infrastructure development.

Sangam DMC has a variety of road types, including tunnels and roundabouts, making it suitable for highly autonomous cooperative driving. Surveys have also confirmed it as the most preferred location for the autonomous driving industry.

The pilot zone will be developed as a test space for 'autonomous cooperative driving' where vehicles and road infrastructure communicate. This is a method of integrating connected car technology to overcome the limitations of autonomous driving, which recognizes the surrounding environment based on vehicle sensors, and to enhance safety.

The core infrastructure for autonomous, cooperative driving is the communications network. Seoul has become the first city in the world to establish a vehicle communications network that supports 5G, Wave, and Cellular-V2X, providing an opportunity to test various communication technologies on real roads.

First, we will build a WAVE-based communications network, which has been in use in advanced countries like the United States since 2004, to provide autonomous cooperative driving services between vehicles and between vehicles and infrastructure. After 2019, we will also build a Cellular-V2X and 5G-based communications network, which are rapidly becoming commercialized.

Through this, Seoul City plans to create an environment where Korean companies can develop various connected car services and equipment, such as infotainment as well as autonomous cooperative driving support, thereby helping them lead the rapidly growing global connected car market.

In addition, the Seoul Metropolitan Government is working with KT to build a 5G convergence vehicle communication network infrastructure, a future communication network, to support V2X communication.

Ahead of the full-scale commercialization of autonomous cooperative driving, driverless autonomous buses will also be piloted within the pilot zone. This bus, which circulates around major locations within Sangam DMC starting from Digital Media City Station on Line 6, is scheduled to run for free 2-3 times a day starting in the second half of 2019.

An official from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said, “If a test environment for autonomous cooperative driving is established in downtown Seoul through this project, it will serve as a stepping stone for autonomous driving technology to advance to the next level,” and added, “We will continue to discover ways to support the private sector through the Autonomous Cooperative Driving Industry Development Council and other means. Together with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, we will actively support various companies to utilize dedicated actual-road testing facilities to develop technologies and create an autonomous driving industry ecosystem.”