Korea Transportation Safety Authority

The Korea Transportation Safety Authority (TS), led by President Yong-sik Jung, is utilizing AI-based video analysis technology that warns drivers of risky behaviors, such as signal violations and drowsy driving, to create a safer bus transportation environment for the public.

As part of TS's pilot project this year, which focuses on AI-based safety monitoring for public bus routes, AI analyzed risky driving behaviors, including drowsy driving, signal violations, inadequate following distances, lane intrusions, pedestrian collision warnings, phone use, and smoking. The results showed a remarkable 3686% reduction in accidents due to this pilot program.
When comparing pre- and post-project performance metrics, signal violations by route bus drivers decreased by 66.1%, illegal U-turns by 67.0%, and lane intrusions by 30.7%. The occurrence of internal risky behaviors also dropped significantly, with drowsy driving incidents down by 84.3%, smoking by 37.2%, and phone use by 14.5%.

The AI route bus safety monitoring pilot project is a preventative program that utilizes AI video analysis equipment to monitor drivers' risky behaviors, such as traffic law violations, in real-time and issue audible alerts.

AI cameras are installed on the front exterior and inside of the buses operated by participating transportation companies. These cameras allow real-time monitoring of drivers' risky behaviors through video analysis equipment.
During monitoring, the AI device emits an immediate warning sound when serious traffic law violations, such as signal violations, lane intrusions, phone use, drowsy driving, or lack of attention to the road, are detected.
After monitoring, data on dangerous driving behaviors like speeding, sudden braking, and rapid acceleration, as well as accident-related videos (emergency situations, accident footage, near-miss incidents), are provided to drivers and transportation companies through a safe driving platform, which can be used for driver correction training.

Looking ahead, TS plans to collaborate with private entities, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, local governments, and transportation associations to expand this AI-based safety monitoring solution beyond public buses to charter buses and other sectors.

To further this initiative, TS has signed an agreement with the National Bus Transport Business Association Federation, A.I.Matics, and LG Electronics. In particular, 15 LG Electronics commuter buses have been fitted with the AI solution as a trial to help prevent traffic accidents caused by risky driving behaviors, such as drowsy driving, by bus drivers.