Overseas Chinese media praise 5G technology empowering Lushan Tourism Smart Highway
On October 17, during a visit to the Smart Highway Command Center at the foot of Lushan Mountain, the delegation from overseas Chinese media was left thoroughly impressed by the integration of 5G technology into Lushan’s tourism infrastructure. Ga Jin, the president of Romania’s European Overseas News, noted advances such as drone patrols, automatic ice melting and snow removal on roads, intelligent parking guidance, and proactive disaster safety warnings.
The delegation was welcomed into the command center, where they observed staff monitoring traffic conditions across various scenic routes via cruising drones. Wu Qiong, director of the government-enterprise business unit at China Unicom’s Jiujiang branch, described the center as the “smart brain” of the entire Lushan road network, allowing real-time management of intelligent road operations, significantly enhancing road safety and patrol efficiency.
Famed for its grandeur and perilous paths, Lushan Mountain features winding roads along steep valleys. The iconic lines from Mao Zedong’s poem “Climbing Lushan Mountain” reflect the region’s serpentine routes: “One mountain towers by the river, rising above lush greenery with countless twists and turns.” Given the area’s elevation, conditions such as snow, ice, and fog often impede travel, making the creation of a safe and intelligent access road a pressing necessity.
To ensure a smooth and safe travel experience for visitors, China Unicom has partnered with the Jiujiang Road Development Center to construct the Lushan Mountain Smart Tourism Highway and a circular route around Lushan. The project encompasses several advanced features, including an automated drone patrol system, roadside fog guidance systems, intelligent interaction base stations (for slope and curve warnings), smart lighting, and a video/event monitoring system.
Xu Zhicheng, deputy chief of the road network operation and maintenance department within the Jiujiang Emergency Rescue Team, pointed out two notable innovations: the first nationwide implementation of “5G+” automated drone patrols replacing manual inspections in a 5A-rated tourist area, and the first use of “5G+” geothermal snow-melting technology on basic national and provincial highways in the province.
Once the project is fully operational, six drones will conduct comprehensive automated patrols over the Lushan roadways. Equipped with event detection capabilities, these drones can instantly notify maintenance personnel via a platform if they detect issues like debris or landslides.
During winter, Lushan sees frequent instances of icy and snow-covered roads. Wu Qiong explained that, “When sensors detect road temperatures dropping below zero degrees Celsius, they trigger a signal through the 5G network to the command center, automatically activating heating equipment similar to electric blankets to warm the surface and prevent icing.”
These advanced information technologies deeply empower the region’s transportation infrastructure, enhancing the ability to sense, analyze, manage, and serve with precision. Ga Jin emphasized the superiority of 5G technology in road management, stating that the technological advancements at Lushan’s Smart Tourism Highway will only continue to improve.
