Kimcheon, South Korea - The Korea Transportation Safety Authority (KTSA), once primarily associated with biennial vehicle inspections and driver training, has evolved into a comprehensive transportation safety institution, spearheading innovations in mobility and electric vehicle safety.   

During a recent visit to the KTSA's Kimcheon Drone Certification Center, it became evident that the organization is at the forefront of technological advancements. The sprawling 41,658 square meter facility, equivalent to six soccer fields, serves as a hub for drone testing and training.

Drone Innovation
The Kimcheon center is equipped with a 350m x 20m runway, enabling tests of both visual line-of-sight and beyond-visual-line-of-sight drones. This is a significant upgrade from the previous centers located in Hwaseong and Siheung, which were limited in terms of size and operational capabilities.

The center also houses a situation management center dedicated to supporting the commercialization of K-drone delivery services. South Korea has been piloting drone delivery services in 173 locations across 14 cities and provinces since February 2023. The center's monitoring system allows operators to track drones in real time as they deliver packages along predetermined routes.

"Delivery routes vary by region," said Choi Seong-won, a research fellow at the Drone Management Division. "For instance, in sparsely populated island areas, drones can deliver essential goods on their way to the island and transport local products, such as seafood, on their return journey."   

To reduce costs, the current drone delivery system primarily focuses on package drop-offs rather than landing. "If a drone were to land, we would need an observer on site, which would increase costs," Choi explained.

Electric Vehicle Safety
At the KTSA's Advanced Automotive Testing Research Center, engineers are working tirelessly to ensure the safety of emerging technologies like hydrogen cars, electric vehicles, and autonomous vehicles. In response to recent electric vehicle battery fires, the center is playing a crucial role in developing a new safety certification system that will be mandatory for all electric vehicles from February 2024.

The center conducts a series of rigorous tests on electric vehicle batteries, including thermal shock tests, combustion tests, overcharge protection tests, and short circuit tests. Researchers use a state-of-the-art diagnostic system to monitor various components of the electric vehicle, such as the motor, electronic shift-by-wire, and battery control system.

"We have developed a digital twin system for testing advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS)," said Kim Yong-guk, deputy director of the Advanced Testing Technology Division. "This unique system, which is only available in Korea and Germany, allows us to simulate various driving scenarios and assess the performance of ADAS features."

Jung Yong-sik, president of the KTSA, emphasized the importance of the organization's work in ensuring the safety of electric vehicles. "Due to recent electric vehicle fires, the public is feeling anxious. The KTSA is committed to ensuring the safety of electric vehicles at every stage, from manufacturing to operation."

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