AI scans Korea's highways to keep wildlife, drivers safe
On winding roads where mountainous terrain meets heavy traffic, a rustle in the brush at dusk can turn into a deadly collision within seconds. Roadkill incidents pose a constant hazard to wildlife and motorists across Korea, often resulting in severe property damage, human injuries and secondary pileups on high-speed thoroughfares. In a bid to prevent such incidents, the Ministry of Climate,…
Winding roads in mountainous regions of Korea, where heavy traffic intersects with natural habitats, present a dangerous confluence that can swiftly result in fatal collisions. Roadkill incidents are a persistent threat to both wildlife and motorists, frequently causing significant property damage, human injuries, and secondary chain reactions on high-speed roadways.
To address this issue, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment announced plans to introduce a pilot artificial intelligence (AI)-driven roadkill prevention system along National Route 17 in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, central Korea.
While traditional mitigation strategies, such as eco-corridors, wildlife overpasses, and fencing, have managed to substantially decrease animal fatalities along extended stretches of highway, intersections and entrance or exit ramps continue to pose formidable challenges. These areas are notoriously difficult to secure without disrupting traffic flow or hindering human access, thereby creating critical weaknesses in eco-fencing networks that leave wildlife vulnerable to road crossings.
The innovative system aims to fill these gaps by employing smart surveillance technology. Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras will be installed to continuously monitor the roadside terrain. Upon detecting an animal approaching the road, an advanced AI algorithm will swiftly analyze the situation and trigger appropriate measures to prevent collisions, ensuring the safety of both wildlife and drivers.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- AI scans Korea's highways to keep wildlife, drivers safe koreatimes.co.kr
