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Korea Expressway uses big data to reduce traffic jams
A bird’s-eye view of the Gyeongbu (Seoul-Busan) Expressway near the Yangjae Interchange in southern Seoul. The Korea Expressway Corp. provides motorists with real-time traffic information using big data to help reduce traffic congestion. / Courtesy of Korea Expressway
By Lee Hyo-sik
By Lee Hyo-sik
The Korea Expressway Corp. is providing motorists with real-time traffic information using big data to help reduce traffic congestion on the country’s highways, which stretch more than 4,000 kilometers nationwide.
In cooperation with SK Telecom, the country’s largest wireless service provider, the state-run highway operator has been able to offer its real-time traffic data to those using smartphones.
This has enabled motorists to avoid congested roads and use alternative, less-crowded routes, lessening traffic jams on expressways particularly during Korea’s two largest holidays ― Lunar New Year and Chuseok.
Recognized as one of state enterprises that most improved public services in 2014, Korea Expressway received an award from the minister of government administration and home affairs. Korea Expressway and other recipients will showcase their innovative public services at the COEX in southern Seoul from April 30 to May 3.
The company has built many new expressways across the country over the years and upgraded existing ones to cope with increasing traffic volume. It has also improved the amenities at service areas to better accommodate motorists.
“We have successfully integrated our traffic data with spatial information concerning motorists, making it possible for us to provide comprehensive, real-time traffic data,” said a Korea Expressway spokesman. “This has significantly reduced traffic congestion, particularly during heavily traveled holidays, as people with smartphones can find less-crowded roads.”
During the Lunar New Year holiday in February, traffic congestion was not as severe as it was in the previous years as more people avoided driving during peak times, the spokesman said.
Korea Expressway has also received high marks for improving public services at its rest areas. For instance, it has been expanding restrooms for women.
“In the past, women had to wait in a long line to use bathrooms at highway service areas during heavily traveled seasons,” the spokesman said. “But it became the thing of the past as we built more toilets for women in accordance with the growing number of female travelers.”
The firm provides real-time traffic-related information at its portal (https://data.ex.co.kr) and collects ideas from the public to further improve its services.