The Vehicle Information & Communication System Center (VICS Center; Mr. Masao Kamei, President) has started providing road traffic information along principal ordinary roads in Hyogo Prefecture.
With Hyogo Prefecture included along with Osaka and Kyoto Prefectures, where information is already being provided along principal ordinary roads and expressways, VICS is now available in the entire Keihanshin area.

With the opening of the Pearl Bridge on April 5, VICS also started its route selection information service on expressways connecting Kansai, Sanyo, and Shikoku districts.

2. From "Luxury" to "Necessity"

A questionnaire survey was conducted on whether ordinary VICS users actually use VICS information, and the impression on VICS.
According to the results, the major answer to the question concerning the benefit of VICS was "It makes the driving more relaxing and comfortable." It is clear that VICS provides not only quantitative effects such as the reduction of traffic congestion but also great psychological effects that are not shown in figures.
Compared to the previous survey of the same users, the percentage of those considering VICS as a "Necessity" has increased from 17% to 34%. This suggests that VICS changes from a "Luxury" to a "Necessity" once they use it.

3. Service development in the past

• Expanded VICS service areas
• VICS started service along the Tokyo Bay Aqua Line and other roads on December 18.
• VICS started service in Nagano Prefecture.