On the morning of the 18th, when a heavy snow warning was in effect, severe traffic congestion occurred across Seoul due to icy roads. However, the roads in Seongbuk-gu presented a different picture, thanks to the district-installed smart road heating systems.
The smart road heating system automatically emits heat to melt the snow on the road when it detects snowfall. In Seongbuk-gu, a total of 58 locations, covering 16,386 meters, are equipped with road heating systems, making it the longest installation among Seoul’s autonomous districts.
Seongbuk-gu, with its numerous hilly areas, faced significant inconveniences for residents and risks of accidents during heavy snowfalls. In response, the district actively promoted the installation of road heating systems over the 7th and 8th terms of the local government. As a result, despite heavy snow, traffic congestion and accident rates have decreased.
Lee Seung-ro, the mayor of Seongbuk-gu who visited the site, stated, “It is a fundamental role of the administration to ensure residents’ safety and ease inconveniences,” adding that “all public officials entered an emergency duty system to make thorough preparations starting the day before the heavy snow warning was issued.”
The smart road heating systems have also become a topic of interest among netizens. Jokes such as “Cats sleep on the roads in Seongbuk-gu as they don’t pile up with snow” and comments like “Seongbuk-gu is the district waiting for snow” have surfaced online.
The district plans to continue with regular inspections and maintenance to create an even safer living environment for residents.
