Remote control without a locomotive engineer
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced Wednesday that it will step up efforts to prevent recurring accidents during train switching operations. The efforts include expanding its wireless-controlled vehicle switching system, improving work procedures and strengthening on-site safety management.
The wireless-controlled vehicle switching system allows workers to remotely control train cars using wireless devices during switching operations, without a locomotive engineer on board. The system is designed to eliminate accidents caused by miscommunication between engineers and workers, creating a safer work environment.
According to the ministry, Korea Railroad Corporation has pursued regulatory improvements and equipment introduction since piloting the system at Daejeon Marshalling Yard Station in 2021. It is now expanding the rollout in phases according to conditions at each station.
In response, the ministry plans to introduce 11 wireless-controlled vehicle sets at eight stations by October — Yeongju, Gwaedong, Jecheon Marshalling Yard, Susaek, Dodam, Daejeon Marshalling Yard, Donghae and Obong (two locations). The vehicles will operate sequentially, following worker training and pilot runs. Three stations — Yeongju, Gwaedong and Jecheon Marshalling Yard — are already in full operation following pilot runs. The latest inspection will focus on checking the status of system operations and work management at these sites.
The ministry also focused discussions on safety measures to prevent accidents during vehicle switching operations. It plans to further expand the wireless-controlled vehicle switching system at major work sites, including Uiwang Station. It will also use advanced technology such as AI video analysis to minimize workers' exposure to danger. It is also reviewing ways to ensure workers can, in principle, safely carry out operations from outside the locomotive.
The wireless-controlled vehicle switching technology currently in use was developed for medium-sized locomotives. The ministry plans to expand its application by developing technology for large locomotives or by deploying dedicated medium-sized locomotives.
In addition, the ministry will deploy railway safety inspectors to carry out special inspections of major vehicle switching work sites. The Korea Transportation Safety Authority will conduct parallel checks of the railway safety management system. Any shortcomings identified on-site will be corrected immediately. The ministry plans to review work procedures and the overall safety management system based on the inspection results, pursuing any necessary regulatory improvements.
Kim Tae-byung, director general of the Railroad Bureau, said, "Fatal accidents during vehicle switching operations that keep recurring must not happen again." He added, "We take the recent fatal accident during vehicle switching work at Uiwang Station very seriously. We will thoroughly investigate the cause of this accident and the entire work process, and reflect any deficiencies in the regime or procedures, as well as on-site risk factors identified during the investigation, in the railway safety enhancement measures to be established in the second half of this year."
hss@heraldcorp.com
