Need for Public Transportation, Pedestrian, and Bicycle-Centered Transportation Policy

A proposal was presented to guide Suwon's transportation policy toward an environmentally friendly direction centered on public transportation, pedestrians, and bicycle infrastructure development.

Additionally, opinions were raised that careful planning, securing expertise among administrators, rational government financial support, coordination of related matters, and supplementation of light rail standardization guidelines are necessary for the smooth promotion of the Suwon Light Rail project.

On the afternoon of August 23, the '2008 6th Suwon Transportation Forum' was held in the conference hall of Suwon City Hall, organized by the Suwon Development Research Center, with the attendance of relevant experts and citizens.

● "Need for Transportation Policy Expanding Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Rail Transport"

At the forum chaired by Professor Oh Young-tae from Ajou University, Professor Lee Chul-gi from Ajou University presented on the subject of 'Proposal for the Direction of Future Transportation Policy for Suwon City,' presenting the direction of Suwon's transportation policy by sector including traffic flow, public transportation, pedestrian and parking issues.

Professor Lee proposed improving the road system by establishing a metropolitan road network while also constructing outer ring roads through private investment. He also argued that the bus-centered road environment should be improved, route distribution should be dispersed, and measures should be established to improve rail transport modal share.

In particular, as a human and environment-centered transportation policy, he emphasized the need to establish a pedestrian-centered transportation system, expand and maintain bicycle facilities, and establish support measures for bicycle users.

Discussant Professor Lee Ui-eun from Myongji University emphasized improving the pedestrian environment within Hwaseong Haenggung and transforming it into a tourism resource, and stressed the need for both pedestrians and drivers to recognize traffic as 'culture' and practice transportation improvements.

City Councilor Lee Jae-sik also proposed securing elevated roads toward Dongtan and Bundang areas and establishing a bypass trunk road leading to Pyeongtaek.

Ji Woo-seok, Director of the Transportation Policy Research Division at the Gyeonggi Research Institute, argued that transportation systems should be reorganized with a focus on rail using light rail and metropolitan rail, and that improvements in transportation environment in preparation for an aging society are necessary.

● "Careful Planning, Expertise, and Flexible Government Support Needed"

Lee An-ho, Senior Researcher at the Korea Railroad Technology Research Institute, presented on the subject of 'Activation Plan for Light Rail Introduction in Suwon City,' presenting problems anticipated in the process of promoting the light rail project and alternatives to address them.

The researcher emphasized that in most cities, including Suwon, urban space is limited, making it difficult to establish new roads, and the introduction of guided transit systems (light rail) is necessary to improve and resolve transportation problems resulting from increased automobiles.

However, it was noted that limited experience in promoting light rail projects could result in inefficiency or lack of expertise, and with government and local government support covering only construction and vehicle purchase costs, additional operational expenses would be substantial, making profitability and project viability unclear.

Additionally, the researcher emphasized the need for alternatives regarding the standardization of light rail systems, inadequacies in the Urban Railway Act, and concerns over lengthy delays.

To address this, Researcher Lee An-ho presented: "For smooth project promotion, careful planning such as reflecting light rail plans when establishing urban plans, establishing work manuals, and securing expertise through administrator training must be pursued."

He also emphasized the need for periodic revalidation of demand forecasts, flexible government financial support based on feasibility studies, integration of the Railway Construction Act and the Metropolitan Railway Act including a 'Special Light Rail Act (tentative name),' legal amendments, and tax incentives.