GANGNEUNG CITY ENG - 솔향강릉

- First to be selected for the Autonomous Vehicle Pilot Operation District Service Support Program to operate a demand-responsive self-driving bus -

 Gangneung City has been selected for the Autonomous Vehicle Pilot Operation District Service Support Program of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and is set to receive KRW 400 million in state funding to introduce self-driving buses for operation in remote areas.

 The Autonomous Vehicle Pilot Operation District Service Support Program launched this year aims to improve the convenience of travel and the competitiveness of the domestic autonomous vehicle industry by demonstrating new technologies and services. KRW 2 billion in state funding will be shared with Seoul, Daegu, Chungnam, Jeju, and Jeonnam (Suncheon) that were selected through a public competition and evaluation.

 Late last year, Gangneung City operated a self-driving bus along a 13-kilometer section from Yeongok-myeon Office to Samsan Public Health Clinic, which was newly designated as an autonomous vehicle pilot operation district, to provide advanced mobility services specifically designed for small and medium-sized cities.

 By operating the self-driving bus in marginalized areas where there is limited access to public transportation, the right to travel without discrimination can be ensured for the elderly and persons with disabilities, and continuous and innovative mobility services will be provided in such remote areas to improve the ease of travel.

 Gangneung City also plans to make it possible to call the call center via the app as well as by using designated phones for the convenience of seniors, who are not accustomed to digital technology. The self-driving buses will be operated by a local transportation operator to ensure reliable and uninterrupted operation.

 On the other hand, Gangneung City was designated as an autonomous vehicle pilot operation district in June 2022. After three months of test operation, it has been operating five autonomous vehicles on a 15.8km section with three routes since January 2023. The autonomous vehicle mileage has reached 100,000 km in total and more than 3,400 passengers have used the service to date.

 An official from Gangneung City said, “Before the 2026 Gangneung ITS World Congress, we will expand the autonomous driving services to the entire 53.5km section designated as an autonomous vehicle pilot operation district to enhance people’s experience of autonomous driving technology and services. [...] We will position ourselves as a leading city in advanced mobility with our unique autonomous driving routes that are tailored to the characteristics of small and medium-sized cities with many areas with limited access to public transportation and a large senior population.”

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