Today started off early as we headed back to Seoul City Hall, which was nice because I really enjoyed visiting it the first time. This time, however, we specifically went to the TOPIS headquarters, which is located inside Seoul City Hall. TOPIS stands for Seoul Transport Operation and Information Service, and it serves as the control center for Seoul’s smart transportation systems.
During the presentation, they explained how TOPIS manages and monitors transportation all across Seoul in real time. I found it really fascinating because the system monitors over 32 million journeys using GPS, CCTV cameras, IoT sensors, and other technologies. They explained how TOPIS tracks more than 7,400 buses, over 70,000 taxis, and hundreds of kilometers of subway lines throughout the city. It was amazing seeing how integrated and advanced Seoul’s transportation systems are.
One thing I found especially interesting was learning more about the T-money transportation card system. They explained how almost all public transportation systems in Seoul are connected through the card, making transfers between buses and subways extremely smooth and efficient. The system even tracks congestion levels using card scans, which helps improve transportation planning and reduce delays. They also explained how live transportation data is shared in real time with apps like Naver Maps and Kakao Maps, so people can instantly see bus locations, traffic conditions, and route updates.
Another really interesting topic they discussed was autonomous vehicles. They explained that self-driving vehicles are categorized into different levels of automation, ranging from basic driver assistance to fully autonomous driving. We learned that the autonomous vehicles currently being tested in Seoul operate at around Level 4 automation, where the vehicles can mostly drive themselves within designated areas. The city has even created special zones where these vehicles are allowed to operate, and nearby pedestrians receive notifications on their phones when they are near them. I thought that was incredibly futuristic and, honestly, really impressive.
After the presentation, they showed us their control center, and that was probably one of the coolest parts of the visit. The room had massive screens displaying real-time data from all over Seoul. They monitored traffic cameras, bus systems, subway systems, weather conditions, humidity, rainfall, water quality, air quality, and so much more, all in one place. It honestly felt like they had a live digital model of the entire city running in front of them. Seeing how much real-time data they manage every second made me realize how advanced Seoul’s smart city systems truly are.
After leaving TOPIS, we spent some time exploring Namdaemun Market and Myeong-dong, where we sampled many Korean street foods and snacks. Everything looked so colorful and delicious, and I really enjoyed trying different foods as I walked through the busy streets. We also had Korean shaved ice dessert, which was incredibly refreshing and delicious. After that, we spent some time shopping and enjoying the city’s atmosphere one last time.
Later in the evening, we began preparing for our final presentations on everything we learned during this trip. During the presentations, each group talked about the companies, technologies, smart systems, and cultural experiences we explored throughout South Korea. We also presented the video we had been working on throughout the trip, and honestly, it was a very emotional and wholesome moment for all of us. Watching all the memories come together made me realize how much we experienced in such a short time, and it felt really meaningful to see everyone reflect on the journey together.
After the presentations, we went to a Korean cooking class, which was honestly such a fun way to end the trip. During the class, I learned how to make Korean noodles and gimbap completely from scratch. It was really interesting to learn about the preparation process and to cook everything ourselves instead of just eating it at restaurants. After cooking, we all sat together and had a group dinner, which made the experience even more special.
Overall, today was such a memorable and emotional day. From learning about Seoul’s advanced smart transportation systems at TOPIS to presenting everything we learned throughout the trip, the day really reflected how much we experienced and grew during our time in South Korea. Tomorrow we leave Korea, and honestly, I wish I could stay here longer because this trip has been one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life.