MOLIT Expands Wireless Control for Railway Shunting Operations to Prevent Recurrence of Uiwang Station Accident

[Financial News] The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) is expanding the application of wireless remote-control systems to prevent recurring accidents during railway shunting operations.
MOLIT will hold a meeting with Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) on the 9th to review the status of the wireless-controlled shunting system’s introduction and safety management at work sites. The meeting follows a fatal accident that occurred during shunting operations at Uiwang Station recently.
Shunting refers to coupling, uncoupling, exchanging, or moving railway vehicles to form a train. With a wireless-control system, workers can move the vehicles directly using a wireless device without an engineer, reducing the risk of accidents caused by communication errors between engineers and workers.
MOLIT and KORAIL have improved the relevant systems and equipment since launching a pilot project at Daejeonjochajang Station in 2021. By October this year, they plan to deploy 11 wireless-controlled trainsets at 10 sites across eight stations: Yeongju Station, Goedong Station, Jecheonjochajang Station, Susaek Station, Dodam Station, Daejeonjochajang Station, Donghae Station, and Obong Station.
The system is currently in full operation at three stations—Yeongju Station, Goedong Station, and Jecheonjochajang Station—following pilot operations. During the inspection, MOLIT plans to closely examine the system’s operation and work-management practices at these stations.
MOLIT is also considering expanding the system to major work sites, including Uiwang Station. Since the current system was developed for medium-sized locomotives, discussions will include developing new technology for large locomotives or deploying locomotives dedicated to medium-sized units.
Work methods will also be improved to reduce workers’ exposure to risks through advanced technologies such as AI video analysis and to enable workers, in principle, to work safely outside the locomotive. Safety facilities will be reinforced, and work procedures will be revised as well.
MOLIT will deploy railway safety inspectors to major shunting work sites for special inspections. It will also conduct inspections of railway safety management systems through the Korea Transportation Safety Authority, with plans to immediately correct deficiencies identified in the field. Problems in systems and procedures, along with risk factors identified through the inspection results and the investigation into the Uiwang Station accident, will be reflected in railway safety enhancement measures to be prepared in the second half of this year.
Kim Tae-byeong, director of MOLIT’s Railway Bureau, said, "Recurring fatalities during shunting operations must not happen again. The fundamental nature of safety measures is to fundamentally improve a system that relies on individual workers’ judgment and create an environment where they can work safely."
[email protected] Choi Ga-young Reporter