- Laying the Foundation for LTE-R Interoperability and Operational and Stability for Urban Railroad Operators -

BUSAN, South Korea – June 15 – The Korea Railroad Research Institute (KRRI) (President: Sagong Myung) conducted a five-day field trial and interoperability test of the railway-dedicated integrated wireless communication network (LTE-R) on the Busan-Gimhae Light Rail Transit (BGL) line between Sasang and Kaya University stations from June 8 to 12.

LTE-R is a railway-dedicated wireless communication network developed through a national R&D project of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) with KRRI serving as the lead research institute. The system is a key technology supporting urban railway construction and extension projects, including light rail transit systems, as well as in the modernization of aging communication systems.

LTE-R has been operating stably on Seoul Metro Lines 2, 4, 5, and 7 since 2021. It is also being tested on the Yangsan Line, scheduled to open at the end of 2026. In addition, LTE-R is being deployed on Incheon Metro Lines 1 and 2, further expanding its application across urban railway systems throughout Korea.

The introduction of LTE-R moves railway communications beyond conventional voice-centered systems, enabling AI-enabled applications and high-capacity data transmission. By allowing train operation information, real-time video, and maintenance data to be shared instantly with control centers, LTE-R significantly enhances railway safety and operational efficiency.

During the test, the functionality and performance of various railway operation services were verified, including voice communication functions such as individual calls, group calls, area-selective calls, talk group configuration, and emergency calls, as well as operational efficiency services including situation notification messages and voice messaging.

The interoperability verification results of KRRI’s LTE-R-based urban railway communication network are expected to provide a foundation for ensuring the reliability and stability of wireless communication infrastructure required for future 5G-R implementation and the expansion of AI-based railway operations, video services, and data services.

Song Yong-su, Principal Researcher at KRRI and the institute’s certification lead for LTE-R, stated, “Building on KRRI’s internationally accredited certification capabilities in railway communications, we will continue our efforts to expand into international standardization and accredited evaluation qualifications for the future application of AI technologies in railways sector.”

President Sagong Myung of KRRI said, “The adoption of AI and digital technologies in railways sector is expanding rapidly. We will continue to strengthen cooperation with railway operators to expand the application of KRRI’s railway communication technologies across domestic urban railways while further advancing testing, inspection, and certification systems.”

※ Reference: Photos from LTE-R field trial





Press Contacts
Sunghyun Baek
Korea Railroad Research Institute
baeksh@krri.re.kr
+82 31 460 5162