Increase in number of ”road heat rays” that are highly effective against heavy snow in Seoul, South Korea

In Seoul, South Korea, ``road heat rays'' play a major role in the frequent heavy snows caused by abnormal weather in winter. On the 20th, according to the city of Seoul, South Korea, a road built with the city's budget.
There were a total of 442 hot wires on the road. The total length of all roads equipped with hot wires is 69,643 kilometers.
In 2014, a 335-meter section of the Eunpyeong Tunnel in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul
After the first "Road Heat Lines" were installed, their snow removal effectiveness was proven, and they have rapidly expanded, with an additional 146 locations being installed in 2022 and 183 locations in 2023.
Furthermore, if you include the number of road heating wires installed by each local government using their own budget, the number of road heating wires installed seems to be even higher.
The city of Seoul said, ``We are installing heat beams with top priority given to topographical characteristics such as slopes and shaded areas.''
. A ``heat ray'' is a device that melts accumulated snow and ice by passing electricity through a heating element installed under the road surface, raising the temperature of the road to 2 to 3 degrees Celsius.
However, the problem is "cost." A Seoul city official said, ``It costs an average of 100 million won (approximately 11.23 million yen) to install 100 meters of hot wires.
'' he explained. The average cost of managing 100 meters, including electricity and communication fees, amounts to 3.6 million won (approximately 400,000 yen) per year.
Furthermore, if the weather becomes extremely cold, more electricity will be required to melt the snow, which will result in higher maintenance costs.
. Climate change, with more frequent cold snaps and heavy snowfall, means additional costs will be incurred. However, Seoul City will continue to install heat wires because they are effective at removing snow and residents are highly satisfied.
It's a plan.