In this blog post, we’ll take a case-study-based look at what smart highways are and how they use technology to improve road safety and mobility.
From Imagination to Reality — A Late-Night Driving Scenario
One night, a driver returning home from overtime work on the highway began to drift out of their lane due to drowsiness, but sensors embedded in the road detected this. The car’s navigation system sounded an alarm accompanied by an announcement saying, “Caution: Departing from lane,” and a warning message was sent to nearby vehicles. The central control center assessed the situation as a typical case of drowsy driving and remotely adjusted the vehicle’s course; startled by this, the driver immediately snapped back to attention and safely regained control of the steering wheel.
This story is not a scene from science fiction. “Smart highways,” which will become a reality within the next few years—such as the Second Gyeongbu Expressway currently under construction—refer to a new concept of expressways that significantly improve mobility and safety by integrating road infrastructure, communication technology, and vehicle technology to endow the road itself with intelligence.
Core Features of Smart Highways
Road infrastructure designed to respond to weather-related hazards will be installed. For example, when fog sets in, CCTV cameras measure visibility; if it falls below a certain threshold, fog-dispersal devices on the median barrier activate to help ensure clear visibility. In winter, road surface temperatures are measured in real time to automatically activate heating cables buried beneath the road or spray magnesium-based de-icing fluid to prevent icing. Various response mechanisms are integrated into the road, such as eco-friendly windbreaks that automatically activate during sudden strong winds to enhance driving stability.
Road information and individual vehicle driving data are collected and integrated, then provided to drivers and the central control center. Using radar and various sensors, the system collects all-weather data on road conditions—such as ice, hydroplaning, fog, and falling objects—as well as driving information like vehicle speed and fuel consumption. The central control center analyzes this data and transmits necessary safety information to drivers in real time. If a driver veers off course due to inattention, the system assesses the degree of deviation and the level of risk, immediately sending an alert to the driver and nearby vehicles, and can even remotely intervene to control the situation if necessary.
Drivers can pay tolls without slowing down when passing through toll gates. Currently, most vehicles must stop at toll plazas or pass through Hi-Pass lanes at a restricted speed (approximately 30 km/h), but on Smart Highways, vehicles are equipped with onboard units and, through road-to-vehicle communication, are designed to pass through toll gates without changing lanes even while traveling at high speeds (e.g., around 160 km/h). It is also possible to enforce regulations by photographing vehicles that resort to loopholes, such as removing or reattaching their onboard units, and imposing fines accordingly.
Expected Benefits and Challenges to Consider
Once Smart Highways are implemented, it is expected that advanced traffic control systems will reduce the traffic fatality rate to 30% of current levels, bringing it close to that of OECD member countries. Additionally, it is projected that congestion caused by toll gates will be eliminated, reducing annual traffic congestion costs by approximately 36 billion won.
However, there are also issues that must be considered during the implementation process. Detailed operational plans and regulations must be established, including how to accommodate older drivers or those with limited driving experience; how to allocate roles with other roads depending on whether buses and trucks are included or excluded; privacy and data security; and safety measures in the event of system failure.
If these challenges are successfully addressed, the Smart Highway will transcend mere road infrastructure to become a world-class landmark and secure a leading position in the future road market.
