1. What is "Michi-no-Eki"?
As a longer driving and female/elderly drivers become common, there is an increasing demand for resting areas along
general roads where they can drop in and rest at ease so that they go back to safe driving which ultimately support
smooth traffic flow.
With diverse values, people desire for unique and interesting places. These resting areas would provide various and
unique services based on the local culture, history, tourist destinations and local specialities.
Resting areas are expected to attract a lot of tourists, which means it will help surrounding areas to become more
vibrant and facilitate a synergistic relationship with other local areas through the road.
Aiming for these effects, the Rest Areas network called "Michi-no-Eki" were introduced. Michi-no-Eki plays 3 different
roles; "a place for resting" for road users, "a place to provide information" for both road users and locals, and "a place
to facilitate local communications".
Where are they located?
-Rest Areas are located at appropriate intervals to best
serve as a resting place for road users.
Services
-Parking space, washrooms and telephone booths
available 24 hours a day
-Attentive information service provided at the information
desk
Facilities
-Free parking space large enough for road users to
rest
-Clean washrooms
-Information center for road users and locals
-Various service facilities
-Barrier-free designed walking paths
Eligible local proponents
-Municipalities or the equivalent public bodies
Remarks
-Facilities are designed so that children, elderly, and
physically challenged people can easily use them.
-Michi-no-Eki is designed to suit local beautiful sceneries.
Disaster-prevention features in the event of natural disaster
-With power a generation facility, a storage for
reserve stock, and a heliport, Michi-no-Eki serves as a
local disaster-prevention center.
-Michi-no-Eki actually played an important role in
providing a place for life-saving activities, distribution
of relief goods, evacuation center and food distribution.
2. Automated driving service using Michi-no-Eki
In 2017, the MLIT started a pilot program to demonstrate a VI-based autonomous driving service around Michi-no-Eki which is expected to assure smooth transportation of people and goods in hilly and mountainous areas where many elderly people reside.
Examined items at the pilot program
Driving route in the experiment
Road map