Gyeonggi Province Aims to Prevent Icy Roads During Commutes... '7 a.m. and 5 p.m.' Set as Preventive Deicing Targets

Winter road snow-removal measures in place through March 15 next year
Checks on advance application of deicing materials across 31 cities and counties
AI predicts road black ice risks
Equipment prepositioned at vulnerable locations, including bridges and steep roads

Gyeonggi Province will inspect deicing material application across its 31 cities and counties, aiming to complete preventive deicing on major roads by 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. when snow is forecast. The measure is intended to reduce traffic congestion during commutes and accidents caused by icy roads.

A view of the Gyeonggi Provincial Government building. Photo provided by Gyeonggi Province.

Gyeonggi Province said it will run its winter road snow-removal program for four months, from November 15, 2026, to March 15, 2027, and launch “Gyeonggi Safe Snow Removal +717” to strengthen preventive deicing during commute hours. Until last year, snow removal was to be completed before commute times, but this year the province has specified 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. as target completion times for preventive deicing. The Provincial Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters will announce when preventive deicing should begin based on weather conditions and check whether each city and county has applied deicing materials in advance.

Priority will be given to deicing major roads with heavy traffic and areas prone to chronic congestion. Equipment and materials will be placed in advance at locations vulnerable to icing, including bridges, steep roads, tunnels, and underpasses. The province will check the operation of automated snow-removal facilities, such as brine-spraying systems, and strengthen snow-removal management on side streets and pedestrian paths.

Starting this winter, the province will also operate the “Gyeonggi Road Black Ice Analysis System,” which uses artificial intelligence (AI). The system analyzes factors such as air temperature, humidity, and road surface temperature to predict the risk of icing. The province plans to share risk information with cities and counties and relevant agencies to help guide preventive application of deicing materials and patrols.

Roads in the province comprise 35,790 routes with a total length of 21,179 km. The province has secured 144,001 tons of deicing materials, 2,326 snow-removal vehicles, and 4,710 pieces of snow-removal equipment. It will activate a five-stage emergency response system depending on weather conditions and monitor snowfall and icing around the clock using road CCTV and other resources. Roads along city and county boundaries and highway entrances and exits will be managed in coordination with relevant agencies, including the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the police.

Bae Seongho, head of Gyeonggi Province’s Construction Bureau, said, “Road safety in winter depends not only on promptly clearing snow after it falls, but also on assessing weather conditions in advance and responding proactively. We will make active use of the road black ice analysis system newly introduced this year and our 24-hour situation management system, and work closely with all 31 cities and counties and relevant agencies to ensure residents can use the roads with confidence.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.