Why Was a 27-Year-Old Commute Route Resolved in Just 2 Months?

The back road in front of Suwon Yeongil Elementary School had lacked a proper pedestrian space since the residential development in 1998, forcing students to commute dangerously along a road only 0.5 meters wide.

Residents had sought a solution to the children's commute problem for nearly 30 years, but why had their requests gone unheeded? Surprisingly, the issue was resolved quite easily.

Beginning in 2025, Suwon City installed and operated the "We've Got All Your Issues! Citizens' Suggestion Box." A citizen submitted a complaint stating, "Please install a sidewalk so Yeongil Elementary School students can travel safely."

The complaint was immediately forwarded to the team leader of the Veteran Team at Saebbit Civic Center. After coordinating with relevant departments, the pedestrian space improvement project for Yeongil Elementary School was implemented, securing a safe commute route. A 27-year-old inconvenience was resolved in just 2 months.

Communicating with Residents at the Site to Find Solutions

The Veteran Team first visited the site. They met with the people who filed the complaint and listened to detailed explanations. They directly witnessed the difficulties students faced during morning and evening commutes. They identified how children walked and how vehicles moved.

After assessing the situation on-site, the Veteran Team carefully reviewed the minimum lane width, effective sidewalk width, and shoulder standards according to "Rules on Road Structure and Facility Standards." They developed an optimal solution that met two goals: "compliance with legal standards and ensuring citizen safety."

The lane width was adjusted, and the pedestrian space was secured at 1.75 meters or wider. In November, the road surface was resurfaced and guide posts were installed to create an environment where pedestrians and vehicles could travel safely.

The dangerous road where children had to dodge cars was transformed into a safe, pedestrian-focused customized commute route. It was a moment when the Veteran Team leader's experience and "on-site communication" shone through.

Selected as Outstanding Case for '2026 Government Innovation Championship'

Suwon City's Yeongil Elementary School commute route improvement project has been selected as an outstanding case candidate for the "2026 Government Innovation Championship" sponsored by the Ministry of Interior and Safety.

The process of resolving the 27-year-old request for Yeongil Elementary School's pathway can be viewed in detail as a video by accessing "Sotong Innovation 24 (sotong.go.kr)," the government's representative national communication platform.

A Ministry of Interior and Safety official stated, "Small innovations and communication from the field are coming together to significantly transform citizens' daily lives." The official added, "We will not simply present completed policies, but will listen to citizens' voices through 'Sotong Innovation 24' and continue to refine policies accordingly."