Ensuring Safety: Inspection and Maintenance of Jeonju's Hydrogen City Buses
Key Ideas
- A detailed safety inspection of 147 hydrogen city buses in Jeonju found minor issues like slight looseness in connecting bolts and contact problems in electric control units.
- Immediate corrective measures were taken to address these issues, including adjustments and necessary repairs, to ensure compliance with safety standards.
- Future plans involve establishing a systematic safety inspection process, conducting operator training, and implementing additional precautions to enhance public confidence in hydrogen buses.
Jeonju City in South Korea, in collaboration with Hyundai Motor Company, completed a comprehensive safety inspection of 147 hydrogen city buses operating in the region. The inspection, conducted by a specialized team from Hyundai, identified very small hydrogen leaks and minor issues like looseness in connecting bolts and contact problems in electric control units. Immediate corrective actions were taken to address these issues and maintain safety standards. To ensure ongoing safety, Jeonju City and Hyundai Motor Company have developed a detailed safety management manual and plan to conduct regular inspections in collaboration with transportation companies and manufacturers.
In addition to the immediate actions taken, future initiatives include establishing a systematic safety inspection process, providing operator training, and implementing further safety measures based on the findings from the National Institute of Scientific Investigation's analysis of a recent hydrogen bus explosion.
Choi Jun-beom, Director of the Public Transportation Bureau in Jeonju, highlighted the importance of hydrogen buses in reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable transportation. The city aims to build public confidence in hydrogen city buses by prioritizing safety and ensuring that citizens can utilize these eco-friendly transportation options with trust and assurance.