SK Telecom has developed an Internet of Things-powered system to enhance railway safety in partnership with Korea Railroad Corporation (Korail) and local telecommunications solution developer Nable Communications. The IoT system enables real-time monitoring of railway facilities and reduces work for maintenance staff at railway stations.
While SK Telecom was in charge of connecting the system using an IoT network, Korail installed the sensors while Nable Communications developed a monitoring platform and device.
Currently there are 80 sensors installed on tracks between Seoul and Busan, with testing still in process. Every 10 minutes, the sensors measure the temperature of the rails and alert railway control centers if it rises above 50 degrees Celsius, helping the corporation perform preventive measures quicker than before. Previously, rail maintenance staff had to travel around the country in groups of two to manually measure the temperature. Apart from measuring heat, the sensors also collect a range of data relating to the health of a train including vibrations, voltage and wheel tension. The real-time data can also be checked through smartphones.
SK Telecom and Korail expect to commercialize the device and systems by next year. SK Telecom also hopes to export the technology when it is completed.
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