GTX, Accelerating with the Best Technology in the World
(Published November 2, 2011)

Gyeonggi Province signs technology collaboration with Railroad Research Institute on November 1^st.
Collaboration with GTX.KTX, including technology support and training of railroad professionals

– Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo and Korea Railroad Research Institute CEO Hong Soon-man view railroad-related exhibitions in the meeting room before signing the agreement. (G-News Plus Heo Seon-ryang)

Gyeonggi Province stresses the importance of GTX, which will soon to be up and running.

Gyeonggi Province is inspired by the final designation of three GTX routes (Ilsan-Suseo, Songdo-Cheognyangni, Uijeongbu-Geumjeong) as part of the central government¡¯s preliminary feasibility study.

In response, the province entered a partnership with the Korea Railroad Research Institute, which possesses the world-leading railroad technology, to secure technological support.

The two organizations signed the ‘Railroad Technology Collaboration Agreement’ at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex on November 1^st and will work in partnership to improve the railroad industry of the province.

The Korea Railroad Research Institute is a professional railroad research institute that possesses world-class railroad technologies including Korean 350km/h high-speed train technology, Korean tilting train expertise, the lightweight railroad system and bimodal tram.

The province expects this agreement to facilitate technology consultation and the policy performance of major railroad businesses including GTX and high-speed railroad for the capital region.

In his greeting, Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo said, “We expect the Railroad Research Institute to undertake extensive technology development and research for the technical aspects of GTX including safety and speed.” He added, “We hope the institute will serve as a technology consultant for regional autonomous bodies that are experiencing difficulties in the lightweight railroad industry such as in Yongin, Gimpo, and Uijeongbu, so that they can establish appropriate railroad policies.”

In his greeting, Railroad Research Institute CEO Hong Soon-man said, “In less than 10 years, trains will run as fast as 400km/h. Citizens desire railroad investment and there’ll be much construction.” He proceeded to add, “As such, GTX of Gyeonggi Province is a timely policy that considers the future of regional residents.”

– Gyeonggi Province and Railroad Research Institute personnel take a commemorative photo after signing the agreement. (G-News Plus Heo Seon-ryang)

With this contract, the two bodies will collaborate in GTX technology support, technological development and the distribution of in-province railroad initiatives, the training of railroad professionals, and industry-academic-research exchange.

Cooperation continues as the Railroad Research Institute hosts the GTX Bangjae International Seminar November 29^th.

GTX Division Director Choi Min-seong said, “This signing is significant in that we are now collaborating with the Railroad Research Institute, a leading organization, to focus its research and support for the safety and speed issues of GTX.” He added, “If we apply the world-class technology of the Railroad Research Institute to GTX and KTX, it’ll be a major help in improving the railroad industry of Korea.”

After the signing ceremony, the ‘Future Green Transportation Technology Briefing’ was held for the improvement of transportation systems in Gyeonggi Province. Approximately 100 transportation policy personnel from each city and county in the province participated.

The Railroad Research Institute introduced diverse, in-city transportation systems including an automated, rubber-wheeled lightweight train, a bimodal tram that can be operated on roads, and a wireless tram that operates on batteries.

In addition, the Railroad Research Institute introduced 13 transportation systems and 3 advanced technologies it developed with focus on future technologies including GTX and a high-speed maglev train.

Technological Strategy Office Head Jo Yong-hyeon stressed that “GTX is essential transportation infrastructure. There are cities such as Dongtan New City that cannot adequately fulfill their function as cities under the traditional system. GTX will grant them active city functions with fast, convenient, and cheap transportation.”

Meanwhile, the central government included GTX as a part of the Second National Railroad Networks Plan last April. In addition, the government selected GTX for preliminary feasibility study of 2011 on the 28^th.

Three GTX routes add up to 140.7km including 46.2km between Ilsan and Suseo (Dongtan), 48.7km between Songdo and Cheongnyangni, and 45.8km between Uijeongbu and Geumjeong. The total budget is expected to be KRW 13.64 trillion including KRW 4.603 trillion between Ilsan~Suseo (Dongtan), KRW 4.634 trillion between Songdo and Cheongnyangni, and KRW 3.827 trillion between Uijeongbu and Geumjeong.

Gyeonggi Province expects construction of the three GTX routes to begin in 2013 and be completed in 2018.

– Governor Kim Moon-soo and the President of the Railroad Research Institute in conversation while viewing a railroad model after signing the agreement. (G-News Plus Heo Seon-ryang)

– G-News Plus News | Lim Jeong-seon isim123@hanmail.net

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