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UIWANG, South Korea – JUNE 19 – The Korea Railroad Research Institute (KRRI) (President: Dr. Seok-Youn Han) held the Seminar on Today, the Future of Railway Undergrounding and the Integrated Development of Railway Yards jointly with the Korean Railway Construction Association and the Korean Railway Technology Society at KRRI’s Oh Myung Hall in Uiwang, Gyeonggi-do June 18th.

The institute shared progress on the railway undergrounding project, the design of underground railways, the analysis of construction cases, and the current status of R&D.

The seminar saw participation from more than 100 people from national and local government as well as businesses. The event highlighted the importance of urban development and environmental improvement resulting from railway undergrounding and development of upper space, and continued R&D and cooperation.

During the seminar, KRRI introduced the current status of research and development as well as future plans for underground railways.

Il-Hwa Lee, Principal Researcher at KRRI, gave a presentation on a technology for development of beyond-track space (BTS), which allows for railway undergrounding through construction of artificial ground, and station district-centric urban regeneration and restructuring. In particular, Lee suggested developing technologies that resolve barriers to developing underground space, including operational and structural safety and controlling noise and vibration levels.

Dae Sang Kim, Principal Researcher at KRRI delivered a presentation on development of digital-based 3D visualization of railways in operation. Specifically, Kim introduced overseas uses of 3D visualization technologies, critical technology elements for 3D visualization of railways, and the current status of technological development. Kim also shared ongoing research activities including a technology securing hyper-proximity space for railway lines, a technology minimizing railway blockage time, and a digital twin-based safety assurance technology which needs to be developed.

These were followed by presentations of Jae-Nam Yoo, Vice President of Yooshin Engineering Group on a case study of review for railway undergrounding at Seoul Station, and Young-Hee Kim, Head of Urban Space Planning Division at Seoul Metropolitan Government on Seoul Metropolitan Government’s basic direction of railway undergrounding and development of upper space.

Vice President Yoo redefined the role of Seoul Station as a central station in Korea, with targets of building an integrated transfer system, enhancing the symbolism and publicity of Seoul Station, and integrating with and regenerating surrounding areas. Yoo also introduced space planning through improving Seoul Station’s railway functions; undergrounding sections linked to the Kyungbu Line and other options; integrating the allocation of railway lines; and measures to realize the railway undergrounding project.

Division Head Kim presented the project goals and implementation system envisioned by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, which include transportation innovation, green space creation, fostering innovative central spaces, and urban space regeneration. These initiatives aim to enhance urban competitiveness and quality of life through the undergrounding and advancement of railway facilities, as well as the creation of three-dimensional spaces on railway sites.

These were followed by a panel discussion featuring Seon Dong Park (Head of Railway Undergrounding & Integrated Development Division at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport), Jeong-Il Park (Head of Railway Undergrounding Division at Korea National Railway), Young-Hee Kim (Head of Urban Space Planning Division at Seoul Metropolitan Government), Jae-Nam Yoo (Vice President of Yooshin Engineering Group), Dae Sang Kim (Principal Researcher at KRRI), moderated by Sangkyo Seo, President of the Korean Railway Technology Society.

Seon Dong Park, Head of Railway Undergrounding & Integrated Development Division at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, explained the importance of the railway undergrounding project to Korea and the current status, suggesting future directions for the government support. Jeong-Il Park, Head of Railway Undergrounding Division at Korea National Railway, introduced KNR’s undergrounding project plan.

Dae Sang Kim, Principal Researcher at KRRI, presented the direction of advances in digital-based technology for multi-dimensional development of railways and its applicability, and Jeong Hyun Kim, Principal Researcher at KRRI, introduced future research plans and visions of the institute on this technology.

“This seminar served as a venue where we can share the current status of and measures for development of technologies and budgeting, the two pillars of railway undergrounding,” said KRRI President Dr. Han. “KRRI is committed to promoting development of prestigious K-Rail Tech so that we can contribute to government policies on railway undergrounding and wellbeing of the public going forward.”

※ Reference: Photos of the Seminar on Today and Future of Railway Undergrounding and Integrated Development

Press Contacts

Yongmook KANG

Korea Railroad Research Institute

ymkang@krri.re.kr

+82 31 460 5184