A feature that displays real-time information on navigation systems when emergency vehicles such as fire engines, ambulances, and police cars are approaching will be introduced in phases.
The Korean National Police Agency said on the 19th it will launch the "emergency vehicle approach information guidance service," which provides navigation systems with emergency vehicles' location and route information and priority signal information.
The service links systems so that "priority signal information" from each local government's traffic information center is provided to navigation systems through the Korean National Police Agency's urban traffic information center, enabling real-time guidance on approaching emergency vehicles.
Previously, the priority signal information system that gives green lights to emergency vehicles first has been in operation at 27,772 intersections nationwide since late last year.
However, even with priority signals, there were limits to yielding because drivers could not know in advance whether an emergency vehicle was approaching from behind.
The service is being carried out in cooperation with the Korea Road Traffic Authority (KOROAD), the South Gyeongsang Fire Headquarters, Daejeon City, and Kakao Mobility. It will first be implemented at some intersections across South Gyeongsang Province and around Jungang-ro in Daejeon. The plan is to expand the service nationwide afterward.
Lee Seoyoung, director of the public safety and traffic bureau at the Korean National Police Agency, said, "We hope this system linkage will further mature the culture of yielding to emergency vehicles."