Chapter 6 Development of a Safe Automobile Society in Harmony
With Environment and Meeting Users' Needs
Section 1. Developing a Safe Automobile Society in Harmony
with Environment
1. Auto Traffic in the Environment
Though automobiles are an absolute necessity in modern times, further efforts
must be made to counteract car pollution in order to realize "a safe automobile
society in harmony with environment".
2. Aiming to Develop a Safe Automobile Society in Harmony with Enviroment
(1) Development of a Safe Automobile Society in Harmony with Environment
Low-pollution vehicles are being developed and propagated. Additional practices
include vehicle-model controls on utility according to the NOx Law, and tougher
regulations on auto emission and noise.
(2) Aiming for Safer Automobiles
With tighter measures on safety standards of automobiles, steps are to be
taken to enhance check-ups and reconditioning, by raising the awareness of drivers
regarding maintenance practices and by rationalizing repairing charges.
Section 2. Development of an Automobile Society Meeting Users'
Needs
1. Activating Auto Passenger Transport
(1) Bus Transportation
In city areas, the "Committee for bus transport promotion" composed of the
police and road administrators is to be established, along with measures to improve
the driving environment. Furthermore, assistance is to be provided to raise bus
demand and improve service standards in terms of user-convenience.
In the provinces, businesses endeavoring in management are to be given aid.
On the other hand, actions are being taken to maintain service lines in accordance
with the report from the "Council for analysing the principal problems to maintain
local bus lines" in June 1994.[Fig.66]
(2) Taxi Transportation
Future transport policies including those enhancing multiform fares were notified
to local transport bureaus in conformity with the report of the Council for Transport
Policy in June 1993. Respective local transport bureaus are being ordered to disclose
assessment standards for revising charges to clarify their contents and the procedures
involved for increasing rates.
2. Enhancing the Efficiency and Modernization of Truck Transport
Reflecting the sluggish market, transport demand is dropping. Environmental
problems are pressing and tougher penalties are imposed on over-loading In order
to tackle these issues, restrictions on the total deadweight of trucks are to
be deregulated, joint pickup-and-delivery system established and shorter working-hours
promoted, to achieve upgraded transport efficiency and modernized management.
