Japanese interest in ITS has been focused on highly automated driving equipment for hands-free cruising or proximity monitoring etc. However, although the technology has been largely perfected, such systems have so far proved too expensive for actual implementation in existing traffic systems. They are out of step with the reality of current daily life, and thus do not appear a promising method to suppress accidents in the near future. On the other hand, although it is not a major trend, one kind of speed limiting system has already been implemented. In September 2001, a new regulation was introduced that every heavy truck has to be fitted with a speed limiter which restricts the maximum speed on a highway to 90 km/h. All heavy trucks will have to have the equipment by their first inspection after September 2004. Another example is a field experiment of a system controlling speed in specified areas such as the environs of schools, which will be started by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The maximum speed of cars is regulated using GPS or transponders on the road. The experiment will begin in 2002 and last three years. [PM1] Ordinary people's attitudes regarding ISA have an important role in implementing the system in society. Some surveys have been conducted with a variety of social classes. The results revealed that many are in favor of the system while a small number opposed it strongly. There were some differences in their attitude depending on the kind of ISA. Positive attitudes increased when the estimated number of lives saved by ISA was given in the questionnaire. The mass media could play an important part in the introduction of ISA. If an influential TV station like NHK broadcast a special program on ISA as a critical measure against fatal traffic accidents, and successive arguments were repeated by a variety of mass media within a limited period, some politicians or government officials might take up the problem. And if the trend of public opinion showed a positive attitude, ISA legislation would be easily accepted. The Swedish Government set a goal in 1997 to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries in traffic accidents, ultimately to 0, which is called nollvisionen (Vision Zero). The budget for the project was 7,500,000 krone (1,000,000,000 yen). The background to support for such a policy may be that respect for human rights and logical stance in tackling problems. The ISA field experiment project based on nollvisionen has the background of very simple and clear reasoning regarding the relationship between the speed factor and traffic accidents. It is suggested that Japan should learn from this attitude and search for realistic measures. ISA could be one critical option for this. For the covering abstract see ITRD E123876.
Abstract