- ITS model area test in Gifu Prefecture
In 1997, Gifu Prefecture founded the ITS Study Group, which is run as an industrial-academic-government partnership, to establish six important action plans. Two plans out of the six were finally selected as the theme for the ITS Model Experiment, on the ground that they were socially important and technically feasible within a short term.

Study on the feasibility of Gifu Prefecture's ITS-related information provision system using private-sector initiative
A test on the ITS-related information provision system using private-sector initiative was carried out from October to December 1999, in view of ensuring a safe and comfortable driving environment by providing road traffic information, and vitalizing industries in regional communities (especially tourist industry) by providing unique sight-seeing and event information.
During the test, information on road traffic, sight-seeing, events, accommodation facilities, and administrative activities in regional communities were provided from information terminals set up at three michi-no-eki (road station): Pascal Kiyomi, Oku-Hida hot spring village Kami-takara, and Shirakawa-go. The information terminals were connected to the servers installed at information provision offices via telephone circuits, allowing up-to-date information to be transmitted to the terminals.

Outline of the system

[ Results of the test ]

• Many of those who used the information terminals responded that they want to use them again: needs for information on road traffic, sight-seeing spots, and accommodation facilities were found to be high. Many respondents requested installing information terminals at accommodation facilities.

People using an information terminal (michi-no-eki "Pascal Kiyomi")

Top page of the information terminal screen

Establishment of natural resource recycling-oriented society using mobile communication
With the growing trend of resource recycling, needs for recycling materials produced from construction sites; establishing systems capable of facilitating recycling; and strengthening systems to crack down on the illegal dumping of industrial waste are increasing.
Gifu Prefecture carried out a test on a mobile communication-assisted truck control system, which facilitates the operation of trucks shuttling between construction sites and recycling plants and which can monitor illegal truck operation, from October to December 1999.
In the test, five trucks fitted with a satellite communication device transmitted information on their locations and the operation status to the monitoring center, while the operation center provided the trucks with information on the destination.

Outline of the system

[ Results of the test ]

• The system has been proved to be effective in tracking the location of trucks, and preventing and monitoring illegal dumping of industrial waste. The utilization of empty and out-of-service trucks reduced the total transportation length (vehicle-kilometers traveled) by about 23%, improving the transport efficiency.

ITS Model Experiment Plan - for promotion of ITS in accordance with the characteristics of regional communities Following the proposal of the "ITS Model Experiment Plan," (designed for effectively deploying ITS in regional communities), by five ITS-related ministries and agencies, and the establishment of a Feasibility Study (FS) Committee consisting of the five ministries and agencies, specialists from academia, and the representatives of domestic ITS-related organizations, a 3-year research and development was carried out from 1997 to 1999. To help the future deployment of ITS in regional communities, an ITS model experiment was conducted in 1999 in five areas selected by the FS Committee through public solicitation: Okayama Prefecture, Kochi Prefecture, Gifu Prefecture, Toyota City, and the area within the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Police Department. Milestone for ITS Model Experiments

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