Suwon Adopts 'Pre-Treatment Golden Hour' for Snow Removal During Rush Hours

Suwon Special City (Mayor Lee Jae-joon) has devised special measures to prevent urban traffic congestion and slip-and-fall accidents caused by heavy snowfall during winter.

Suwon's '2026-2027 Winter Road Snow Removal Comprehensive Strategy' includes snow removal preparedness to respond quickly during snowfall.

The key contents of this comprehensive strategy are ▲refurbishment and expansion of snow removal equipment ▲setting a pre-treatment golden hour for de-icing agents during commute times ▲operation of a task force team for real-time road condition monitoring via closed-circuit television (CCTV) ▲establishment of a citizen-participatory snow removal culture through 'clearing snow in front of your home' initiatives.

To significantly enhance response capabilities at snow removal sites, Suwon City is fully replacing and refurbishing 17 aging snow removal vehicles with new models and introducing 4 additional snow removal vehicles.

Additionally, heat wires have been installed at 7 steep road locations to provide a foundation for rapid deployment to the field and snow removal operations even during sudden snowfall and freezing conditions.

To prevent traffic congestion and safety accidents caused by snowfall during peak commuting hours when citizens' movement is concentrated, the city will set and operate a 'pre-treatment golden hour.'

If snowfall is forecast during weekday morning commute hours, de-icing agents will be pre-treated by 7 a.m. on the same day, focusing on main arterial roads, elevated highways, bridges, and other areas vulnerable to icy road accidents. If snowfall is forecast during weekday evening commute hours, de-icing agents will be distributed by 5 p.m. on the same day to prevent evening traffic congestion.

The Construction Policy Division, the department overseeing overall road snow removal, will closely monitor road conditions 24 hours a day via CCTV during snowfall. When inadequate snow removal in certain sections or unexpected situations such as road collision accidents are identified, the division will immediately share the situation with related agencies including district offices, police, and fire departments, and deploy equipment and personnel to respond swiftly.

To enhance snow removal effectiveness on side roads and walkways where administrative efforts alone have limitations, Suwon City will actively conduct promotional campaigns for the 'clearing snow in front of your home' movement.

Kim Hyun-soo, First Vice Mayor of Suwon City, said, "We will thoroughly inspect snow removal equipment, materials, and vulnerable area response systems in advance to proactively respond to winter snowfall," and "Through pre-treatment of de-icing agents and real-time monitoring, we will minimize inconvenience to citizens and create a safe road environment."