Korean APM Projects: Status and Prospects

As one means of alleviating severe congestion on urban highways, APM technologies have been received keen interests in Korea. Several cities finished feasibility studies for introducing APM technologies systems ranging from PRT to full-blown AGT systems. Also since 1994, the Korean government has been working on two demonstration projects to promote APM systems in the Hanam and Gimhae area. These two projects are somewhat behind the originally anticipated schedule, but they are gaining momentum after the Government's recent selection of priority negotiation parties for Build-Transfer-Operate procurement schemes. Valuable insights can be obtained by examining the various aspects of the development process. This paper summarizes important milestones in APM project development in Korea, and the implications on policy and system procurement strategies. Current status of the projects is explained and future project development direction and new prospects are discussed. Issues regarding demand forecasts, funding schemes, land development strategies, project viability, technology selection processes, integration with other transport systems, and institutional and administrative structures are also described.