Evaluation of support system for driving narrow road
Yasuhiko KUMAGAI, Motomune KATAOKA
Kochi University of Technology
ABSTRACT: Kochi prefecture and Kochi University of Technology collaborative development in 2004, asthe system which bears one end of road construction of 1.5 lane, it developed support system for driving
narrow road. It is the system which can be called the regional property which is utilized to 2005 in Kochi
prefecture. It was utilized to 2006 even in other prefecture. Presently it is the system which attracts
nationwide high attention. With this manuscript, it reports concerning the qualitative appraisal which
introducing basic research of the system and it keeps.
KEYWORDS: ITS, Road management, Oncoming car
becomes necessary became topic.

1. INTRODUCTION

Those where it is observed then are theThere are many rich natural in Kochi prefecture. But

opposition

while rich it is natural, because of harsh topography(existing system). This system inspects the vehicle

and meteorological condition it is the prefecturewith the sensor, information of approach of thatwhose disaster is many. On the one hand, while alsovehicle with the system which offers in thebelow service such as road is late, you can calloncoming car, in the past service has been done even

Kochi prefecture with the reduction of budget ofinsiderecentroad

information board, but there were two big problems.

administration is approached. In this situation, as for

One is high cost. Introduction of this system in Road

Kochi

road

construction of 1.5 lane from has designated that

construction of 1.5 lane which, is not standard of

cost is held down as purpose. But, the fact that thenationwide evenness at the time of road servicing in

expensive system is serviced is upside down. One

intermediate and mountainous area, is the standard

more is functional problem of the system. In regard

which conforms to the actual condition of area as ato the distinction of the full-sized car and entrance

new road service project, presently spread to theleaving etc of the vehicle, it was not the system

Japanese entire country. This service techniquewhich always conforms to road construction of 1.5

according to road circumstance, not only 2 lane

lane.

years,

andprefecture

that
you

very

propose,difficult
executecar

Kochi

approachprefecture

information

dependingsystemupontheservices, by the fact that the road which combines 1

Then in order that this problem is solved, as forlane services and local improvement is serviced,

Kochi prefecture the development of cheap support

achieves the service level which substantial cost

system for driving narrow road was done in 2004 as

reduction and area calculate to early stage, it is

Kochi University of Technology and a new system,

effective and efficient technique. But, regarding thisafter that became the system which is utilized insideservice technique, the correspondence for the sudden

Kochi prefecture. Furthermore, also is observed fromangular removal where huge construction expense

the road manager of other prefecture, is introduced

by 2006 even in the prefecture other than Kochi

2. Support system for driving narrow road

prefecture, such as Okayama prefecture has started

The support system for driving narrow road in orderspreading in entire country.

that the problematical point where the existingWith this manuscript, it is developed in Kochi

opposition car approach indicatory system does notprefecture after introducing concerning the summary

conform to Road construction of 1.5 lane is solved,of support system for driving narrow road, as a basicKochi

research, it considers concerning the reason which

Technology being joint in 2004, is the system whichstarts spreading even in other prefecture, it reports

it researched and developed.

qualitative appraisal concerning the result of doing.

prefectureand

Kochi

Universityof

At the time of development, in order that it
makes the system which is suited for needs, in order
to become the function which conforms to pricedecline and road construction of 1.5 lane, various
examinations were done, 2 types of normal modeand simple type were developed. Furthermore theprice decline in this research is not systemintroduction expense, it points to the price decline
which includes maintenance cost.
The system which was developed each typeinspects the vehicle with the sensor, offers theinformation of opposition car approach with theFig1 Oncoming car approach indication system

information board of opposite side, essentially they
are same ones as the existing system.

Fig2 Configuration of the device

The system configuration which was developed
is as follows. In order to distinguish penetrating or
leaving of the vehicle, each 2 sensors are installed in
the entrance section of the narrow road whichbecomes object section, it is something where theinformation board of opposite side operates in only
the time zone which is decided that the vehicle exists
inside section. As for the sensor which inspects thevehicle, from the reason such as cost and economicalelectric power, the thermo- sensor of non contact
type is used.

Fig4 Standard type (LED display board)

Lastly, support system for driving narrow road,presently is in the midst of patent applying from

2.2 Simplified type

Kochi

As for feature of simplified type, you can list the fact

prefectureandKochi

UniversityofTechnology.

that cheaper thing and solar battery drive arepossible. Regarding the road of intermediate andmountainous area, because the place where it cannot
supply electric power easily to be many it exists, also
solar generation of electricity and the drive which
combines the battery made possible ones. In order toassure economical electrical conversion attendant
upon that, it made the simple information board
which installs the LED light in the fixed signboard.

Fig3 Sensor head
2.1 Standard type
Standard type has had model distinction function, at
the LED information board, you can list the point
which does information offer. Model distinction
function, at the sensor total length of the vehicle is

Fig5 Simplified type (fixed display board + LED)measured, above uniformity the long vehicle isidentified the full-sized car, the letter which is

2.3 Spread circumstance of Kochi

indicated “Attention of opposition car” and “Big car

In Kochi prefecture, 16 systems are introduced. Inapproach” are used properly.

addition, as for introduction place, not only the curve
section where the prospect that at the beginning it issupposed is bad, introduction is examined even withthe section essentially such as the similar hill and thetunnel.

Fig6 Case of brae

Fig4 Spread circumstance of Kochi
Table1 Spread circumstance of Kochi
Year

No. of pcs

2004

2 Systems (Prototype)2005

7 Systems

2006

6 Systems (Planning)

Total

16 Systems
Fig7 Case of tunnel
3. Spread circumstance outside Kochi
2006, support system for driving narrow road wasutilized even in the prefecture other than Kochi
prefecture. It includes inside and the maintenancestatus Kochi prefecture and 31 systems are serviced.
Table2 Spread circumstance outside Kochi
Pref.

Fig5 Case of curve

No. of pcs

Tokushima

10Ehime

2Okayama

2

Shimane

1Oita

1

Kochi

15Total31

from viewpoint of protection of the environment.
Furthermore the entry of regional enterprise andit is assured positively, influence to the activation ofindigenous industry are listed.

Waiting
stop
15.8%
Decelerati
on
15.8%

Fig8 Outside Kochi prefNochange68.4%

4. Evaluation
Fig9 Action which is system in operation?
With the appraisal which is done so far in Kochi
prefecture, the appraisal result that is reported it isthe mental sense of relief, and useful to theprevention of head-on collision, depending upon theUseful
35.3%

service of this system. On the one hand, after theNot
useful0.0%

Veryuseful64.7%

prototype developing 2004, 13 systems are serviced
in 2 years in the future it is the schedule whereservice is done. That high appraisal can do this, thatimportant role is carried out say furthermore that it is
the system which conforms to the policy of needs

Fig10 Effectiveness of the system?

and road service from the fact that continuous
service is done, as the part of Road construction of

5. Summary

1.5 lane.

In this paper, support system for driving narrow roadIn the questionnaire survey where we do to thewhich Kochi prefecture and Kochi University ofpast, we cause Action which many people expect, weTechnology

have replied, that all people who in addition replyintroduced.

are useful high appraisal is obtained.

collaborative

development

wasIn the future you appraise quantitatively. And, it

Road construction in Kochi prefecture of 1.5

is the schedule which influence of the road support

lane is the program which is done time from the costsystem for driving narrow road in road servicing

reason, at the time of fixed conditional converting.

clearness is done.

Service is done at the time of this programming,
furthermore as the project which designates cost

REFERENCES

reduction as purpose, has contributed to also cost
reduction substantially. If you rephrase, it is thought

H. Kitagawa, Y. Kumagai, 中山間道路走行支援シthat we do not do construction such as sudden

ステムの開発, Japan Road Conference, 2005

angular removal, can obtain high appraisal even

H. Miyamoto, K. Okamura, H. Kitagawa, Y.
Kumagai, The Development of a Narrow Road
Driving Support System, 12th World Congress onIntelligent Transport Systems, 2005