Section2 Advanced Road Traffic Services

In Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, three field trials to alleviate traffic congestion were conducted during the 1999 ITS Model Area Experiment in Toyota: 1) advanced road traffic information system, 2) park and ride service during events, and 3) joint use of electric vehicles. The website of the city has a special section for Toyota City Traffic Information, which provides citizens with traffic information, such as parking lot guides, images from roadside cameras, and notices concerning public transport services in the city.

With the cooperation of a bus service company, the city government introduced a membership "Fureai bus" service to districts not served by public transport. Bus location information is provided by telephone and at electric bus stops to encourage the use of the service. The TDM Study Society, which is formed by 42 organizations in the city, runs traffic congestion alleviation campaigns called "Noriai Eco Day" on the first and third Wednesdays of every month to encourage TDM.

In Aichi Prefecture, various big projects are scheduled, such as ITS World Congress in 2004 and an international exposition in 2005. The government of Toyota City is promoting the 2004 and 2005 ITS Strategy Plans to deploy ITS and be a successful showcase of ITS.