| Section4 ITS deployment progress in Japan |
Toward practical use of the Smart Cruise System |
- AHS Research and Development History
The Ministry of Construction launched in FY 1989 the research and development for AHS (Advanced Cruise-Assist Highway Systems) for safer driving, aiming to reduce accidents, enhance transport efficiency, improve environmental conditions, and reduce burdens on drivers by enhancing their convenience and comfort. Since September 1996, the research and development have been promoted jointly with the AHS Research Association, formed by the 21 enterprises possessing leading-edge technologies.
1989: The Ministry of Construction (MOC) begins AHS research and development.
- Research into traffic accidents
1991 (June): Public-private research by the national government, including MOC and 24 private companies, in the field of the automated cruise.
- The goals of research are warning against road danger ahead, position recognition of other vehicles, prevention of rear-end collisions, etc.
1992 (August): Operational test of infrastructure-based incident detection systems.
- At Awaza curve of the Hanshin Metropolitan Highway, a CCD camera is installed to detect accidents. The camera image is used to warn drivers through variable message signs.(see 4-30)
1993: The concept of phased development of AHS-i, c and a was published in "MICHI", a publication specifying the MOC five year program on roads.
- Specifies research phases from warning information for lane departure and prevention of collision to automated cruise.
1995 (November): The world's first AHS demonstration at the Public Work Research Institute (PWRI) of MOC in Tsukuba Research Center, Ibaraki Prefecture.
- The aim of the demonstration was development of vehicle control systems for longitudinal and lateral behavior.
- The demonstration site was a PWRI test course of 3 km (1.9 miles).
- Many visitors from Japan and abroad attended.
1996 (September): AHS demonstration at a new segment of highway before it was open to the public.
- The demonstration aimed to evaluate and identify problems regarding application of AHS for use on actual highways.
- The demonstration included warning against road danger ahead, prevention of collision, lane keeping and automated cruise.
- The demonstration site was an 11 km (6.9 miles) segment of Johshinetsu Highway, from Komoro Junction to Tohbu- yunomaru Junction.
1996 (September): Establishment of the Advanced Cruise-Assist Highway System Research Association(AHS Research Association).
