Korea will use state-of-the-art technology to build a ‘smart highway’ that allows cars to travel safely at up to 99mph (160kph). All Korean highways currently have a speed limit of up to 68mph (110kph).
The Ministry of Construction and Transportation will invest US$159 million by 2016 to develop the highway, which will integrate advanced road, IT and in-car technologies, deliver higher safety, mobility, convenience and comfort, and is expected to address congestion, accidents and other challenges.
The Korean Expressway Corporation will lead the first of two construction phases. Phase one will focus on laying basic structures for road and safety facilities and developing core technologies to build cutting-edge communications systems and connect road and vehicles, and is scheduled to last until 2012.