| Section4 ITS deployment progress in Japan |
Advances in navigation systems (VICS, etc.) |
- Over 2.0 million VICS units already in use
VICS units installed in car navigation systems have also spread rapidly, and cumulative shipment exceeded 2.28 million units in September 2000, since the start of service in April 1996 (See 4-4,). 56% of car navigation units shipped between April and June of 2000 were VICS-compatible.
Among the reasons for such rapid popularization of VICS are the increasing needs for real-time road traffic information, and also the enlargement of areas covered by the service. Other contributing factors include the rapid increase of car navigation units incorporating VICS receivers, and strong shipments of car navigation systems that have resulted in price reductions.
