Suwon City Road Safety 'No Issues'

[Suwon Ilbo = Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon Special City announced on the 16th that it has established and implemented a 'road safety strategy' to prevent ground subsidence (sinkholes) and to safely manage roads and facilities.

The road safety strategy consists of 10 prevention strategies and 4 response strategies.

Prevention strategies include GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) survey, AI (Artificial Intelligence) road analysis system introduction, and underground passage entry blocking facility installation.

Ground Penetrating Radar Surveys Empty Spaces Below Roads

GPR survey identifies areas with suspected ground subsidence that cannot be detected by the naked eye using a specific frequency. Underground voids can be detected in advance to prevent ground subsidence accidents. Suwon City plans to conduct GPR surveys on all roads.

Since April, special safety inspections were conducted, including GPR surveys of eight large construction sites and surrounding areas such as the Dongtan-Indeogwon Line Double-track Railway Construction Project (Sections 6, 7, 9). No signs of ground subsidence or structural abnormalities were found.

AI Road Analysis System Introduction

AI technology detects potholes and other hazards in real-time. When risk factors are discovered, rapid measures are taken before accidents occur.

Underground Passage Entry Blocking Facility Installation to Prevent Flooding Accidents

Underground passage entry blocking facilities are also being installed. To prevent casualties and property damage from underground passage flooding and to create a safe road environment, facilities that block vehicles from entering underground passages when flooded and guide them to alternate routes are being installed.

The city is producing and distributing promotional materials for 'Sinkhole ZERO Road Creation' and 'Clearing Snow in Front of My Home and My Shop' to actively promote action guidelines to citizens for creating a safe road environment. The 'Sinkhole ZERO Road Creation' promotional materials include response procedures when sinkholes occur and Suwon City's sinkhole prevention policies.

There is also a strategy to enhance the competency of road safety management staff. Since January, the 'Suwon City Snow Removal Manual' was established and systematic training is being provided to snow removal personnel and is being used when snow falls.

Competency Enhancement of Technical Civil Servants in Charge of Construction Projects

In addition, competency enhancement education is being regularly conducted for technical civil servants in charge of construction projects, and a 'Facility Maintenance Manual' that can be referenced by facility maintenance personnel when conducting their duties has been produced and disseminated. The manual contains basic inspection items for each facility, damage types by cause, and repair methods.

Furthermore, to ensure quality and soundness of construction projects and create a safe construction environment, the city is conducting pre-bid surveys for public bidding of construction projects to prevent unfair contractors without construction capability from participating in bids. To revitalize the local construction industry, the city is also distributing booklets listing the status of Suwon City construction companies and promotional materials for specialized construction companies' participation in public bidding projects.

Road accident response strategies include △24-hour pothole rapid response team operation △facility safety technical consulting △rapid response advisory team dispatch △subsidence response manual establishment.

'24-Hour Pothole Rapid Response Team' Operation

Since 2023, the city has been operating a '24-hour pothole rapid response team' that responds quickly to potholes. The rapid response team, which is active during the spring thaw period (February to April) and the rainy season (July to September), patrols roads and immediately takes safety measures when potholes are discovered, and repairs potholes within 24 hours when reports are received.

Facility safety technical consulting targets road facilities (underground passages, bridges) that require maintenance and management improvements. Civil servants visit sites with experts such as technical engineers and doctors to develop improvement measures to prevent safety accidents.

The rapid response advisory team accompanies relevant field experts when social issues related to facility safety or matters of citizen interest arise and responds quickly. It analyzes the situation and promptly announces the analysis results.

A 'Ground Subsidence Response Manual' is also planned. It stipulates Suwon City's responsibilities and actions when ground subsidence (sinkholes) occur. Based on the manual, the goal is to respond quickly and systematically to minimize damage.

Road accident prevention and response status will be continuously updated on Suwon City's construction policy SNS.

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●Road Accident Prevention Strategies

1. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Survey

2. Snow Removal Pamphlets Production and Distribution in Front of Homes and Shops

3. Sinkhole ZERO Road Creation Pamphlets Production and Distribution

4. AI Road Analysis System Introduction

5. Suwon City Snow Removal Manual Establishment and Training

6. Pre-bid Survey for Public Bidding of Construction Projects

7. Technical Civil Servant Competency Enhancement Education Operation

8. Facility Maintenance Manual Production and Dissemination

9. Support for Construction Companies in Suwon City

10. Underground Passage Entry Blocking Facility Installation

●Road Accident Response Strategies

1. 24-Hour Pothole Rapid Response Team Operation

2. Facility Safety Technical Consulting Implementation

3. Rapid Response Advisory Team Dispatch

4. Ground Subsidence Response Manual Establishment