Introduction of information service on expressways in Aichi Prefecture and nationwide

VICS:Vehicle Information and Communication System

The VICS Center introduced a traffic information service by beacon and FM multiplex broadcasting on main roads in Aichi Prefecture and on the Nagoya expressway on April 24. Besides, the service by beacon has been available in expressways all over the country.

The service was then be expanded to include ordinary roads in Kyoto Prefecture in 1997 and Hyogo Prefecture by the spring of 1998. There are plans to steadily expand the service area to ordinary roads in every major city in the country by the year 2000.

The service was introduced into the metropolitan area (Tokyo, Chiba, Saitama and Kanagawa Prefectures) and along the entire Tomei and Meishin expressways in April last year, followed by the Osaka region in December, and the service area is widely expected to be developed over the whole country. By purchasing VICS equipment and mounting it on their vehicles, drivers can use the information without having to pay a special monthly information fee.

All Rights Reserved, Copyright © 2004 Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism