Gyeonggi Province to Apply Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to Safety Inspections of Vulnerable Facilities in Heavy Rainfall

[Suwon Ilbo=Park No-hun] Gyeonggi Province is applying information and communication technology (ICT) to safety inspections of disaster-vulnerable facilities such as reinforced soil retaining walls and slopes, which have recently experienced frequent accidents due to heavy rainfall and other factors. The approach involves using 3D scanners to precisely measure the inclination of retaining walls, or analyzing video footage captured by drones to assess the degree of risk beforehand without visiting the site.

According to the province on the 1st, following heavy rainfall in August, the provincial special safety inspection team completed inspections on facilities for which safety inspection applications were submitted, including 2 reinforced soil retaining walls, 20 slopes, and 29 other locations such as stone walls, embankments, retaining walls, and fences, totaling 51 sites.

The province has decided to expand the introduction of data-driven photogrammetry and photogrammetric techniques alongside expert visual inspections for inspecting hazardous facilities such as landslides and reinforced soil retaining wall inclinations caused by heavy rainfall and other factors in the future.

The provincial special safety inspection team previously decided to introduce advanced technology to facility safety inspections and conducted foundational research on public-private collaboration utilizing information and communication technology (ICT) through July. Currently, it is conducting pilot projects for facility safety inspections using drones and other means.

In the case of the National Route 43 entrance ramp in Jin-an-dong, Hwaseong City (Eastern Office) recently, precision measurement of inclination progress was conducted on an adjacent reinforced soil retaining wall using 3D scanner equipment. As a result, it was evaluated as Grade E, which could result in loss of structural stability, and emergency road closure measures were taken. Subsequently, preparations are underway to complete safety measures including repairs and reinforcement by the end of the year.

To monitor the inclination progress occurring on the reinforced soil retaining wall, the provincial special safety inspection team conducted its first aerial photography using drones on the 24th and is currently working on stereoscopic image analysis. Through expert consultation and other measures, it plans to provide more precise safety management support to Hwaseong City.

Kang Shin-ho, head of the provincial special safety inspection team, stated: "Gyeonggi Province will actively promote the introduction of information and communication technology (ICT) to facility safety inspections," and added, "We will meticulously examine every small risk so as not to overlook any hazard for the safety of residents."