 |
 |
The MOT actively pursues measures to achieve traffic safety, which is
a fundamental of its transport administration. The Ministry develops a traffic
safety plan every year for all sectors of the transport industry, such as land,
sea and air.
However, The situation described as a "second traffic war" is taking place
on the roads, and the annual road toll has exceeded eleven thousand for two
years running. The train disaster in May 1991 on the Shigaraki Tableland Railway
resulted in 656 injuries. The MOT has taken heed of these conditions and is
working on policies for accident prevention and aid to accident victims.
In particalar the Council for Transport Technics has deliberated on the
plan of expansion and strengthening of safety standards for vehicles until late
FY1991.
Measures are being implemented for safe operation of railroad transport
including driver security equipment, safety conditions in carriages and complete
and correct management of operations. In sea transport, various measures are
being undertaken in relation to ocean leisure craft and a system is being established
for the introduction of GMDSS.
In air transport in 1990, deaths for the year due to helicopter accidents
were the highest ever. To counteract this, an inquiry was initiated by the Bureau
of Aviation, and a survey was taken into safety measures in the operation of
helicopters. Advice is being given through groups concerned with helicopter
transport on measures to prevent accidents.
The MOT, the Maritime Safety Agency and the Meteorological Agency are
administrative organizations designed under the Basic Law for Disaster. They
draft plans and take a comprehensive and planned approach to their implementation.
These plans include strengthening the system for weather surveys and forecasts
and reporting and predicting disasters such as earthquakes and volcanoes. Measures
are taken against disasters in transport systems and transport facilities, and
for the preservation of the national land including the protection of the coast,
and projects for the reconstruction of disaster-hit ports and harbors.
The system for supervision and control of volcanic disasters has been further
strengthened. This is one element which developed as a countermeasure against
the Mt. Unzen, following the November 1990 eruption and continuing volcanic
activity.
The Council for Transport Technology presented its recommendation Inquiry
16 "Concerning Transport Technology Measures With a View to the 2lst Century".
A number of technological developments are being pursued in accordance with
the recommendations.
Development of the linear motor car is underway, the speed of railways is
being raised, techno-super liners developed, and advances in man-made satellites
are being used for multi-purpose application for transport. Developments are
also underway in harbor technology. Research is being pursued on waterfront
telpher railways technological development is being undertaken for traffic safety
such as the advanced safety vehicle (ASV), and technological development of
earthquake notification and weather forecasts.
An information system in the transport sector has been developed to raise
the level of user convenience, to increase the efficiency and operational level
of businesses concerned, and to improve safety.
The MOT is also actively pursuing increased application of information and
is presently looking at the standardization and common use of a "Stored Fare
System". This is a card system in which fare cost is automatically subtracted
at ticket checkpoint.
The MOT is also involved in promoting electronic data exchange (EDI) in
which data is exchanged by computer rather than in the traditional book and
paper form. This is being dealt with both internationally, and domestically,
where it is being pursued actively across business sectors, including the transport
business sector.(Fig52) (table8)
|
|