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Progress and Status in 1997 and Proposed Schedule for 1998

ITS Applications and Infrastructure Development
Development Areas Progress and status in 1997 Proposed schedule for 1998 1998 Allocations (Million Yen)
Advances in Navigation Systems Vehicle Information and Communication System (VICS), through the collaboration with the NPA(National Police Agency) , MPT (Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications) and MOC(Ministry of Construction), began its service on metropolitan roadways and expressways as well as on the Tomei and Meishin expressways in April 1996. Since that time, the service area has been expanded to include the Osaka area in December 1996, nation-wide expressways and Aichi prefecture in April 1997, Kyoto prefecture in November 1997, Nagano prefecture in January 1998 to coincide with the Winter Olympics, and Hyogo prefecture in March 1998. VICS service, which already is available along expressways across the nation and in 9 prefectures including the three major metropolitan areas through collaboration between the NPA, MPT and MOC, will continue to be improved through enhancing the quality and quantity of the information providing and expanding its service areas. 18,099*
Electronic Toll Collection System Research and development on the non-stop Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system has been promoted by the MOC and the four major toll road authorities in collaboration with MPA, MOT(Ministry of Transport) and MPT. In addition to conducting operational testing starting in 1996, a draft of standard specifications was prepared and released publicly based on the results of the joint research of the private sector and the government in 1995. Establishment of standards related to ETC radio communications was completed in September 1997. In order to eliminate traffic congestion around toll booths and reduce management costs, MOC and the four major toll road authorities will begin by fiscal year 1998 practical application of an ETC on which research and development is currently proceeding in collaboration with NPA, MPT and MOT. 2,176*
Optimization of Traffic Management NPA has taken measures to ensure safety and optimum traffic flow such as sophistication of traffic control centers, expansion of localized control of traffic signals allowing sophisticated traffic signal control, development of optical vehicle sensors for gathering traffic information, and additional installation of variable message signs to convey traffic information to drivers in graphic form. It has also improved the infrastructure of the Universal Traffic Management System(UTMS). NPA has continued to take measures from 1997 to ensure safety and optimum traffic flow through sophistication of traffic control centers, expansion of centralized control of traffic signals allowing sophisticated traffic signal control, development of optical vehicle sensors for gathering traffic information, and additional installation of variable message signs to convey traffic information to drivers in graphic form. It will also improve the infrastructure of the Universal Traffic Management Systema (UTMS). 22,351
Support for of Public Transportation - NPA will establish a system aiming at securing prioritized passage for buses by using traffic signal controls and excluding ordinary vehicles from bus-only lanes (Public Transportation Priority Systems, PTPS), in order to support mass transit systems and improve service through enhanced safety and smoother traffic flow. 133
Other The development of facilities to enable mobile communications in tunnels located along expressways and national highways was promoted by MPT in collaboration with MOC. Continuing from 1997, the development of facilities to enable mobile communications in tunnels located along expressways and national highways will be promoted by MPT in collaboration with MOC. 900


Note*: Includes the budget required by roadway authorities.



ITS Research and Development, etc.
Development Areas Progress and status in 1997 Proposed schedule for 1998 1998 Allocations (million yen)
Support for Safe Driving, etc. MOT conducted research in collaboration with the four government bodies on improvement of the human interface of Advanced Safety Vehicles (ASV) and their coordination and collaboration with the infrastructure, etc.

Research was also conducted to develop methods for evaluating electromagnetic wave tolerance of auto electronic equipment used for ITS, etc. as well as methods for evaluating the electromagnetic waves emitted from automobiles. 		Continuing from 1997, MOT will conduct research in collaboration with the four government bodies on improvement of the human interface of Advanced Safety Vehicles (ASV) and their coordination and collaboration with the infrastructure, etc.

Research will also continued to be conducted to develop methods for evaluating electromagnetic wave tolerance of electronic equipment for automobiles used for ITS, etc. as well as methods for evaluating the electromagnetic waves emitted from automobiles.

Moreover, studies will be started in 1998 for promoting the development of ways to improve automobile structure by gathering information on vehicle and driver behavior at the time of actual accidents from drive recorders using ITS technology. 		24
32
100
MOC promoted research and development in collaboration with the four government bodies on an Advanced Cruise-Assist Highway System (AHS). In order to develop safe driving support technology such as danger warning and assistance for driving, development requirements were sets, the basic performance of equipment was developed and a general overview of the system was designed A study was also started on a general-purpose protocol and other road communication standards for ensuring system compatibility among regions and administrators. Support for international standardization activities was also extended. MOC will continue to promote research and development in collaboration with the four government bodies on AHS. The aim of AHS is to realize practical application of safe traveling support technology, such as prevention of collisions, and to establish automated traveling technology by around the year 2000. Additional efforts will focus on the promotion of research and development for improving efficiency of freight transport, and studies relating to use of information to increase efficiency in road management.

In addition, surveys concerning common foundation of the system and support of international standardization activities will also be conducted. 		8,200
Optimization of Traffic Management NPA conducted research on the development of the Dynamic Route Guidance System (DRGS) for providing up-to-the-minute information corresponding to traffic conditions, and on the Environment Protection Management Systems (EPMS) for reducing air pollution. A comparative study, including overseas systems, was conducted on pattern systems and automatic generation systems to be used for signal control for the purpose of developing a new traffic signal control algorithm suitable for traffic conditions in Japan. Continuing from 1997, in addition to developing a new traffic signal control algorithm adequate for traffic conditions in Japan, NPA will conduct a new study in 1998 on the way of building network between prefectures throughout Japan and the contents of information exchange. In addition, the type of traffic information to be gathered will also be examined together with the equipment of a wide-area traffic control system. 44
Support for Public Transportation and Increasing Efficiency in Commercial Vehicle Operations As the intelligence and use of information in road management and signal control increases, MOT, in collaboration with NPA, MPT and MOC conducted research on policies, cost-effective analysis, etc. for using these systems for road transport operations (buses, trucks and taxies) In addition, studies were also conducted on an operation management system utilizing ITS technology to ensure safe transport by commercial vehicles. Continuing from 1997, MOT, in collaboration with NPA, MPT and MOC will continue to conduct research on policies, cost-effective analysis, etc. for using these systems for road freight transport operations (buses, trucks and taxies) , as the intelligence and use of information in road management and signal control increases.

In addition, studies will also be conducted on an operation management system utilizing ITS technology to ensure safe transport by commercial vehicles. 		14
19
- Starting in 1998, MPT will begin new research on utilization of a mobile communication system to support freight transport. 8
Other Research and Development In order to implement its model deployment in Japan, the five government bodies collaborated to conduct case studies about ITS both in Japan and overseas. A committee was also established that determined conditions which the model areas were to meet and extracted requirements for model area selection. In 1998, request for participation and selection of the ITS model areas to be realized by local government and so forth will be conducted and support will be given in the course of the experiments. 73
Standardization Activities To implement ITS in Japan, the five government bodies has contributed to the development of technical requirements in radio communication fields and to international standardization activities led by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).They have also contributed to promote international standardization activities by ISO. Studies on development in radio communication fields regarding ITS both in Japan and overseas as well as technical testing of radio communication technology were also promoted. To implement ITS in Japan, the five government bodies will contribute to the development of technical requirements in radio communication fields and to international standardization activities led by the International Telecommunication Union. They will also contribute to promote international standardization activities by ISO. Technical testing of radio communication technology relating to ITS will also be promoted.
International standardization of on-board devices and assessment studies, etc. for standardization were conducted by MITI (Ministry of International Trade and Industry) to ensure early, efficient introduction of ITS and to enhance the acceptability of ITS on the market. International standardization of on-board devices and assessment studies, etc. for standardization will be conducted by MITI to ensure early, efficient introduction of ITS and to enhance the acceptability of ITS on the market. 408
MPT conducted studies and research for contributing to the development of technical requirements in radio communication fields for practical implementation of ITS in Japan, and for contributing to the international standardization promoted by ITU. In addition, MPT also conducted demonstration testing and other technical testing for technical assessment of radio telecommunication technology relating to vehicle communication systems that are necessary to improve transportation efficiency and driving comfort. MPT will conduct technical testing, such as conducting demonstration testing for technical assessment of radio telecommunication technology, in order to contribute to the development of technical criteria for the radio communication technology of vehicle communication systems. 613
International Cooperation The five government bodies actively promoted international cooperation through such activities as helping to hold the ITS World Congress that provides a forum for exchange of information on a global scale concerning ITS research findings and international cooperation relating to practical application. Support was also provided for holding the Asia-Pacific ITS Seminarr aiming at deepening mutual understanding among countries in the Asia-Pacific region and promoting international cooperation concerning ITS. The five government bodies actively promoted international cooperation through such activities as helping to hold the ITS World Congress that provides a forum for exchange of information on a global scale concerning ITS research findings and international cooperation relating to practical application. Support was also provided for holding the Asia-Pacific ITS Seminarr aiming at deepening mutual understanding among countries in the Asia-Pacific region and promoting international cooperation concerning ITS.
Continuing from 1997, information will be exchanged by participating in international conferences, etc. 2




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