Special Report
RESEARCH
KOTI - Korea Transport institute
KOTI Knowledge Sharing Report_Issue 24_K-Transport: Korea’s Innovative Transport Ideas
- Date
April 30 2025
- Authors
Hee Cheol SHIN,JaeHoon SUL,Shinhae LEE,Wanhee BYUN
- Page(s)
165 page(s)
#K-Transport
#Public Transportation
#Public Transportation Oriented Access System
#Unban Logistics System
#Smart Pass
#Logistics Certification System
#KOTI Knowledge Sharing Report
#Knowledge Sharing Report
#KSR
『K-Transport』
[Preface]
The global spread of K-culture has made a significant impact on various fields, giving rise to K-pop, K-drama, K-beauty, and K-food. What’s more, the K-culture phenomenon has also resulted in substantial economic
benefits. However, Korea's advanced transportation sector has yet to attain the same level of “K-branding” and recognition, and many of its innovative operating methods are not widely known outside the country.
In recent years, numerous foreigners have introduced Korea’s transportation system through social media platforms such as YouTube, highlighting its superiority and uniqueness compared to other countries. Notably, various features such as road surface color direction lines, on-ground LED crosswalk signals, platform screen doors, and late-night self-driving bus services are considered distinctively Korean, as they are rarely found elsewhere. This serves as evidence that “K-transport” has the potential to develop into a viable brand.
This book presents unique Korean transportation cases that could be branded to help countries that want to adopt K-transport. It is our hope that K-transport will become a new pillar of K-culture.
Youngchan KIM / President Korea Transport Institute
[Editor's Note]
While K-pop, K-drama, K-beauty, K-food, and other elements of K-culture have captured the attention of global audiences, there are also outstanding examples of Korean ingenuity in the country’s transportation sector. Unfortunately, these innovative transportation solutions are still not widely known abroad. This book has been compiled with the belief that sharing these exemplary Korean concepts that fall under the “K-transport” brand will help improve transportation systems in other countries and further elevate Korea’s standing on the global stage.
This book introduces Korean transportation innovations that are either unique to Korea or involve fields where Korea excels, branding them as “K-transport.” Rather than focusing on theoretical aspects, we present ideas that are simple but powerful. This book outlines 16 innovations, which are divided into four sections (road, bus, metro, and aviation/logistics) that showcase Korea’s proven methods. The reader is encouraged to explore each idea either individually or by sector. Taken together, these advancements underscore the excellence of Korean transportation.
In addition, this book is intended for individuals from diverse backgrounds around the world, including those from developing countries, representatives of multilateral banks such as the World Bank, and those who are simply interested in the field of transportation. For any inquiries about this book, please contact the Korea Transport Institute.
Hee Cheol SHIN / Vice President Korea Transport Institute
[Preface]
The global spread of K-culture has made a significant impact on various fields, giving rise to K-pop, K-drama, K-beauty, and K-food. What’s more, the K-culture phenomenon has also resulted in substantial economic
benefits. However, Korea's advanced transportation sector has yet to attain the same level of “K-branding” and recognition, and many of its innovative operating methods are not widely known outside the country.
In recent years, numerous foreigners have introduced Korea’s transportation system through social media platforms such as YouTube, highlighting its superiority and uniqueness compared to other countries. Notably, various features such as road surface color direction lines, on-ground LED crosswalk signals, platform screen doors, and late-night self-driving bus services are considered distinctively Korean, as they are rarely found elsewhere. This serves as evidence that “K-transport” has the potential to develop into a viable brand.
This book presents unique Korean transportation cases that could be branded to help countries that want to adopt K-transport. It is our hope that K-transport will become a new pillar of K-culture.
Youngchan KIM / President Korea Transport Institute
[Editor's Note]
While K-pop, K-drama, K-beauty, K-food, and other elements of K-culture have captured the attention of global audiences, there are also outstanding examples of Korean ingenuity in the country’s transportation sector. Unfortunately, these innovative transportation solutions are still not widely known abroad. This book has been compiled with the belief that sharing these exemplary Korean concepts that fall under the “K-transport” brand will help improve transportation systems in other countries and further elevate Korea’s standing on the global stage.
This book introduces Korean transportation innovations that are either unique to Korea or involve fields where Korea excels, branding them as “K-transport.” Rather than focusing on theoretical aspects, we present ideas that are simple but powerful. This book outlines 16 innovations, which are divided into four sections (road, bus, metro, and aviation/logistics) that showcase Korea’s proven methods. The reader is encouraged to explore each idea either individually or by sector. Taken together, these advancements underscore the excellence of Korean transportation.
In addition, this book is intended for individuals from diverse backgrounds around the world, including those from developing countries, representatives of multilateral banks such as the World Bank, and those who are simply interested in the field of transportation. For any inquiries about this book, please contact the Korea Transport Institute.
Hee Cheol SHIN / Vice President Korea Transport Institute
Contents
[Part 1.]
Road Transport
Chapter 1 | Road Innovation by Simple Coloring 2
Chapter 2 | Intersection Sunshade Parasols 10
Chapter 3 | On-Ground Crosswalk Signals 19
Chapter 4 | Unmanned Traffic Enforcement Systems 29
[Part 2.]
Bus Transport
Chapter 5 | Enhancing Passenger Convenience Using Smart Bus Stops 40
Chapter 6 | Bus Information System 50
Chapter 7 | Late-Night Self-Driving Bus Service 59
Chapter 8 | Free Transfers Across Buses and Metro Lines 69
[Part 3.]
Metro Transport
Chapter 9 | Convenient, Free Transfers and Rides for the Disadvantaged 82
Chapter 10 | One of the Safest Metro Systems in the World 92
Chapter 11 | Convenient Facilities for the Mobility Disadvantaged 100
Chapter 12 | Compassionate Information Services 107
[Part 4.]
Aviation & Logistics
Chapter 13 | Implementation of Smart Logistics Certification System to Improve Logistics Services 116
Chapter 14 | Streamlining Departures with Smart Pass 127
Chapter 15 | Innovation of Seoul’s Urban Logistics System 135
Chapter 16 | Public Transportation-Oriented Access System to Incheon International Airport 143