Section2 Advanced Road Traffic Services

The National Highway No. 112 (Gassan Route) connecting the inland area and the Shonai Region of Yamagata Prefecture runs through a heavy snow area and traffic was frequently affected. A road information terminal building was constructed in 1991 to provide road information through radio broadcasting, and display weather, road surface condition and traffic restriction information on road message signs, and display traffic conditions on a large screen in the terminal building round-the-clock. The road information control room in the terminal building maintains and manages the roads on the highway by collecting and monitoring road-related data. The road information sub terminal, set up in the "Gassan Michi-no-Eki (roadside rest area)" in 1992, also provides similar information to highway users.

The number of users of the road information terminals was 44,475 in 2001, and the real-time information it provides has played a major role in safety and comfort on the highway.