2.5 million people per day. This is the number of citizens using the railway in South Korea. From commuters to weekend travelers, the railway is the lifeline that connects the nation.

However, behind this vast network lies unseen dangers. The railway infrastructure, intricately linked with tracks, vehicles, electricity, and signaling systems, can lead to major accidents if any part is compromised. Unexpected risks such as worker accidents during track inspections or collisions due to unauthorized intrusions are ever-present.

In this context, one company is gaining attention. Since its founding in 1986, Shalom Engineering Co., Ltd. has grown alongside Korean railways, ensuring railway safety for 40 years. It is a total solution company covering all areas of railway safety, from signaling to tracks, inspections, and education.

1986 ATS Localization... and a Journey of Over 40 Years

The company's story dates back to November 1986. Shalom Engineering first succeeded in the localization project of the Automatic Train Stop (ATS) system, which the Korea Railroad was promoting to improve the speed of the Gyeongbu Line, thus opening the door to the railway safety industry.

Founder Chairman Kim Bong-taek's management philosophy was groundbreaking. Known as the 'Triple 1 Process,' this approach is simple: complete the idea within a week, assess feasibility through design within a month, and launch the product in the market within a year. Quick decision-making and execution were the driving forces that made Shalom Engineering a leader in the railway safety sector.

This contribution was recognized by the state. Chairman Kim received the Order of Science and Technology Merit in 2009 for his contributions to the advancement of science and technology, and the Iron Tower Industrial Service Medal in 2021 for his contributions to national industrial development.

Chairman Kim states, “Railways are a high-level assembly of various electronic components, and safety is only achieved when signaling, tracks, electronic components, inspections, education, and facilities are organically connected.”

Having walked a singular path in the railway industry for 40 years, Shalom Engineering is no longer just a parts supplier. It has transformed into a total solution company covering all areas of railway safety.

AI and Optical Sensor-Fused Front Safety Detection Device, a New Paradigm in Accident Prevention

Shalom Engineering is currently focusing on AI-based preventive systems. The 'Rail Vehicle Front Safety Detection Device (ILVS),' developed in collaboration with Korea Railroad Corporation and an Israeli company, is the centerpiece. Combining vision cameras and LiDAR, it captures everything within 2 km in front of the train, including people, obstacles, and other trains.

Remarkably, it operates even at night or in adverse weather conditions. RGB cameras and two types of thermal cameras secure a view of up to 2 km. Within 500 meters, the vision camera and LiDAR provide dual monitoring. AI-based deep learning video analysis technology captures and identifies risk factors in real-time, alerting the engineer.

It is also possible to prepare for sections with limited visibility, such as sharp curves. Cameras can be mounted or mobile cameras installed in sharp curve sections, transmitting video wirelessly from 3 to 4 km before entering the curve, allowing engineers to check track conditions in real-time. This technology has been verified for performance.

This technology is the result of a Korea-Israel international joint technology development project supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy from 2024 to 2026. Statistics show that over the past 10 years, there have been more than 20 unauthorized track intrusion accidents annually, highlighting the importance of this technology. With 94 fatalities and 27 injuries, over 80% of all railway casualties resulted in death.

Shalom Engineering is conducting demonstration work with Korail. President Lee Haeng-seop of Shalom Engineering stated, “Once verification is complete, we can significantly reduce track worker accidents and level crossing collisions. We aim to complete the demonstration by the first half of 2026 and distribute it to railway operators to contribute to the prevention of major accidents.”

The Completeness of R&D is Determined by 'Commercialization'

Shalom Engineering's core competitiveness lies elsewhere. It not only develops technology but also completes commercialization and practical application. Since establishing a company-affiliated research institute recognized by the Ministry of Science and Technology in 1987, the R&D center, divided into the SE Headquarters and Signal Communication Headquarters, has been at the core.

The Efficient Cleaning and Verification Machine (ECVM) was developed as part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport's railway vehicle technology development project from 2022 to 2024. It automated the previously manual cleaning and inspection process, reducing work time by more than half. Developed jointly with Korail and Korea National University of Transportation, this system attracted significant attention at the world's largest railway exhibition, InnoTrans 2024, in Berlin last September. It is considered an innovative case that simultaneously enhances the satisfaction of managers and passengers.

Achievements in the rail safety sector are also noteworthy. The environmentally friendly self-propelled phased array ultrasonic rail inspection vehicle (PASS-ET1000) was developed from 2020 to 2022 as part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport's technology commercialization support project. In June last year, it received railway vehicle type approval from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, and in November 2023, it obtained green technology certification from the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.

The most notable recent achievement is the 'Phased Array Ultrasonic Rail Inspection Device (PASS-2000).' By applying advanced phased array ultrasonic inspection technology to rails, it can precisely detect even minute defects that are invisible to the naked eye. Additionally, its compact size makes it easy to carry, and its simple operation with a foot-touch method enhances user convenience. Based on this convenience and technological prowess, it is currently receiving high interest and recognition in the global market.

In the signaling sector, the Integrated Onboard Signal Device (ATP, ATC, ATS, KTCS-2) is a leading product. Designed based on the European standard train control system ERTMS/ETCS Level 1, 2, this system boasts technological capabilities in preparation for the era of trans-Eurasian railways. It is compatible with all existing onboard signals, allowing for intercontinental railway operations without replacing onboard signal devices.

In June last year, the obstacle and derailment detection device received SIL2 GA certification, and in October 2023, the Busan Line 1 200-car urban railway ATC received SIL4 SA certification (TUV SUD). These are the highest levels of certification that verify the reliability and integrity of safety systems according to international standards.

The company is also expanding into AI. In 2024, it developed a 'Rail Defect Automatic Analysis AI Solution' through the AI Voucher Support Project, and from 2023 to 2024, it completed the 'Train Running Safety Assistance Device using Intelligent Video Analysis System.' Currently, it is developing the 'Smart Railway Vehicle Underbody Inspection System using Quadruped Robots (2025-2027).'

From Vietnam to Tanzania... Expanding Global Technological Reach

Shalom Engineering's technology now crosses borders. The Vietnam Railway Official Development Assistance (ODA) project, conducted from May 2022 to the end of last year, is a representative success story. Supported by the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology under the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, a consortium was formed with Korail. The project completed everything from track safety consulting to equipment supply, maintenance, hub center establishment, professional workforce training, and education.

Especially, the PASS-2000, designed and supplied to fit the local railway environment in Vietnam, received high praise. A local train inspection expert in Vietnam stated, “It is easy to carry and intuitive to operate. Most importantly, its accuracy is high. With previous equipment, results varied depending on the operator, but with PASS-2000, the results are consistent regardless of who uses it.”

Shalom Engineering concluded the ODA project by receiving a plaque of appreciation from Vietnam Railways (VNR) at the end of last year. A similar project is currently underway in Tanzania.

Export performance is also steady. Starting with the export of a train simulator to China in 2010, the company supplied obstacle and derailment detection devices to Hong Kong MRT SCL trains in 2015 and exported the same devices to India in 2017. In 2018, it exported domestically produced signal systems ATP and ATS, gaining recognition for its technological capabilities. The Integrated Onboard Signal Device is supplied to Austria's 'Linsinger' and China's 'CRCCE.' Due to these export achievements, the company received the $5 million Export Tower on Trade Day in December 2021.

Love calls from overseas railway institutions in India, Mongolia, and other countries continue. As products with international certifications such as SIL4 and SIL2 increase, global competitiveness is becoming more robust.

President Lee stated, “We have confirmed that the technology accumulated for Korean railway safety over the past 40 years is now recognized worldwide. Shalom's technological capabilities are expected to elevate the status of Korean railway technology wherever they are introduced.”

Human-Centered Management Practicing 'Shalom (Peace)'

Another strength of Shalom Engineering is its people. Based on Christian ideology, the management philosophy of faith and trust, where all employees work together to realize 'Shalom (Peace) in Railway Safety,' is ingrained throughout the company. It is an organizational culture that trusts and supports employees to demonstrate ownership and leadership of service and responsibility in their respective positions.

Performance management is also systematic. Motivation is provided through the employee invention compensation system, commendations, and rewards for meritorious employees. The results are remarkable. Seventeen employees, excluding the representative, have received ministerial commendations.

Last year, the company received a confirmation of being an ESG excellent SME from the Shared Growth Committee, and in October of the same year, it received ISO 45001 certification for safety and health management systems from the International Assessment and Evaluation Center. In July, it was selected as the BEST 1 company in the railway safety sector at the Korea Construction Environment Technology Awards. This is a comprehensive recognition of the technology and safety management systems accumulated over 40 years.

The journey of Shalom Engineering, which began with the localization of the Automatic Train Stop (ATS) system in 1986, is now evolving into a smart railway safety system combining AI and robotics. As Shalom Engineering takes responsibility for the entire process of railway safety, from signaling, tracks, electronic components, inspections, education, and facilities, there is growing anticipation for how it will shape the future of Korean railway safety.


President Lee Haeng-seop, who joined Shalom Engineering as a research institute researcher over 30 years ago, is a living witness to the Korean railway safety sector. He defines the company's journey as “leading the innovation of Korean railway safety for the past 40 years.”

Shalom Engineering has established a 3-year-5-year-7-year phased smart R&D (Research and Development) planning and has been creating new standards for railway safety in organic cooperation with Korail. What President Lee emphasizes is a proactive approach beyond simple problem-solving.

“We do not stop at solving existing problems. We strive for proactive technology development that will lead the industry and society.” This philosophy of President Lee is being realized as concrete technology in the field. For axle bearing inspection, advanced acoustic emission (AE) based acoustic inspection technology was independently developed to improve accuracy. In wheel inspection, phased array ultrasonic inspection source technology is being applied proactively both domestically and internationally.

Currently, Shalom Engineering is also researching and developing next-generation technology based on quadruped robots for inspecting the underbody of railway vehicles, which is difficult for inspectors to access. The company plans to further enhance the precision and efficiency of inspections through the integration of advanced technologies such as robots, AI, and smart sensors, thereby strengthening the expertise in railway safety technology.

The technological prowess of the recently highlighted front safety detection device also embodies President Lee's philosophy. Developed jointly with Korail, this technology combines LiDAR, advanced vision cameras, and AI-based recognition technology to precisely monitor blind spots or curved sections that are difficult for engineers to visually identify. It allows for real-time detection of all risk factors and obstacles, even in adverse conditions such as inclement weather or nighttime glare, and can predict potential risks in advance. It is expected to significantly contribute to creating a safe environment for workers on the tracks, with commercialization anticipated next year. President Lee added, “We will achieve efficient field risk factor management and enhance safety and reliability through fusion technology that surpasses human limitations.”

Shalom Engineering's differentiation strategy is a total solution. As the railway is a system organically connected with signaling, tracks, electronic components, inspections, education, and facilities, Shalom Engineering, which has accumulated expertise in each field over 40 years, can provide an integrated solution that encompasses the whole.

“We are the representative railway safety guardian of Korea, having worked for decades in fields directly related to railway safety accidents.” President Lee clearly recognizes the weight of the company's role. He emphasized, “Based on the innovation and accumulated technology over 40 years, and the potential of the field, we are always preparing for the future,” adding, “We take pride in our pioneering role in ensuring the safety of the nation and society.”

His vision for the future is clear. “We will present a new paradigm in railway safety that transcends generations and technological boundaries.”

Starting first, completing in the field, and culminating in safety. The philosophy of President Lee, who has guarded the field for 30 years, and Shalom Engineering, which has written a 40-year history, continues to aim in the same direction. At the end of that path is always 'human safety.'

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