TS inspects Yangsan Line safety ahead of year-end opening, checks progress of revenue service trial runs

[The Financial News] The Korea Transportation Safety Authority (TS) inspected the railway facilities and service readiness of the Nopo–Bukjeong section of the Yangsan Line, which is set to open at the end of this year. It also identified safety-related improvements, including evacuation route layouts, access routes to trackside equipment and fire compartments.
According to TS on the 15th, the site inspection took place at the new Nopo–Bukjeong section of the Yangsan Line and the Yangsan–Yangsan Jungang section of the Busan Metro Line 2 extension. Relevant organizations also took part, including Busan Transportation Corporation, the railway facility manager, and Woojin Metro Yangsan, the railway operator.
The inspection team visited the Yangsan depot and control room to review progress on revenue service trial runs and examine safety equipment. Through the ongoing trial runs, it also plans to assess the suitability of train operations, readiness for service and response plans for unusual situations.
The review of comprehensive railway testing and commissioning identified improvements including ways to ensure clear passage along evacuation routes, the installation of access routes to trackside equipment and compliance with fire-compartment installation standards.
The Yangsan Line Nopo–Bukjeong construction project links the new Nopo Station–Bukjeong Station line with the extension of Busan Metro Line 2 from Yangsan Station to Yangsan Jungang Station. The line is 11.43 km long in total and is being built to improve transport convenience by connecting Busan Metropolitan City with Yangsan-si in South Gyeongsang Province.
Comprehensive railway testing and commissioning is a process for identifying and addressing safety hazards before normal operations begin on newly built or upgraded railway lines. It consists of a stage to check whether railway facilities meet technical standards, facility verification testing and revenue service trial runs.
TS Chairman Yong-Sik Jung said, "We will create a railway environment that the public can use with confidence by thoroughly reviewing the results of comprehensive railway testing and commissioning for the Yangsan Line Nopo–Bukjeong construction project."
[email protected] Choi Ga-young Reporter