Thursday, August 20, 2009
Next-Gen Traffic Info System To Be Rolled Out By Year-End
TOKYO (Nikkei)--An intelligent transport system that will help drivers avoid traffic jams and hazards will likely be up and running in Japan by the end of 2009.
The ITS will offer drivers actionable intelligence on traffic.
This system will make use of two-way communications between antennas along highways and in-car devices. The ITS will provide highly accurate information on traffic congestion because unlike existing car navigation systems, it will take into account location, speed and other data received from individual vehicles.
A still image of the road ahead can be displayed to warn the driver of a car or obstacle at the end of a tunnel or around a sharp bend. The driver can also be alerted if any cars are coming at highway entrances and exits.
In-car devices for the ITS are expected to come with functions to interface with electronic toll collection systems, allowing drivers to wirelessly pay highway tolls and parking fees as well as purchases at gas stations. The devices will also likely enable Internet connections at highway rest stops and parking facilities to give drivers access to a variety of services.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism plans to install 1,000 or so antennas for the ITS along highways around the nation between this autumn and the March 2010 end of current fiscal year, using roughly 20 billion yen earmarked in the fiscal 2009 supplementary budget. In the future, the antennas will be increased to 2,500.
Toyota Motor Corp. (7203) plans to start selling Lexus brand vehicles with the in-car devices this autumn. With such automakers as Honda Motor Co. (7267) and Nissan Motor Co. (7201) expected to follow suit and consumer electronics makers including Panasonic Corp. (6752) planning to release their own aftermarket products, an estimated total of 10 million vehicles will be equipped with in-car ITS devices within five years.
(The Nikkei Aug. 20 morning edition)
jeudi 20 août 2009 | |
