Chapter 6　Toward the Creation of an Automobile Society Friendly to both Humans and the Earth

Section 1　Toward the Creation of a Safe Automobile Society in Harmony with the Environment

　　　 As the number of automobiles owned reached 71.78 million (Fig. 43), road traffic congestion got worse and accidents have risen. Overall, the negative influence of air pollution and traffic noise on our living environment is still serious. Furthermore, efforts to tackle global environmental problems such as global warming, mainly caused by C02 emissions, are strongly required (Fig. 44).
　　　 To this end, the Ministry is expanding its anti-pollution measures which include the diffusion of low-pollution vehicles, the Nox law (the law for controlling Nox from automobile), the control of exhaust and noise.
　　　 The Ministry is also making efforts to promote automobile safety measures, including the research and development of the ASV (Advanced Safety Vehicle) and the provision of automobile safety information.

Section 2 Creation of Automobile Society That Meets Users' Needs

　　　 In order to meet diversified and sophisticated users' needs for bus, taxi and track transport services, efforts are being made to deregulate and expand the supporting systems such as subsidiary measures for modernization of the bus traffic systems including Transportation Demand Management measures such as Omnibus Town Project (Fig. 45).

Section 3 Toward the Promotion of ITS

　　　 The Ministry is promoting efforts toward ITS (Intelligent Transport System), which contributes to smooth road traffic management by improving road traffic safety and transport efficiency, and reducing traffic congestion.