### Column 1. How Speed Regulations are Determined under the New Standards

## (1) General Roads

For general roads, while complying with the maximum speed standards set in accordance with the Standard Speed Table, speed regulations are adjusted according to each road’s traffic accident occurrence situation, road structure such as existence of sidewalks, roadside situation, etc. In principle, the actual speed regulation is determined within a range of 10km/hr above or below the standard speed.

Standard Speed Table

Category	Area	Lanes	Central divider	Pedestrians	Standard speed
1	Urban	2 lanes	Many	40 km/hr
2	Few	50 km/hr
3	4 or more	Yes	Many	50 km/hr
4	Few	60 km/hr
5	None	Many	50 km/hr
6	Few	50 km/hr
7	Not urban	2 lanes	Many	50 km/hr
8	Few	60 km/hr
9	4 or more	Yes	Many	60 km/hr
10	Few	60 km/hr
11	None	Many	50 km/hr
12	Few	60 km/hr

## (2) Residential Roads

For residential roads, the priorities are the safety and peace of mind of local residents and ensuring pedestrian safety. Therefore, in order to maintain speeds which enable response to sudden running out into the street and the avoidance of major accidents, when implementing the speed regulation, the maximum speed shall in principle be 30 km/hr. The police will also study the implementation of zone regulation, and installation of physical devices which reduce vehicle speed such as humps and cranks in cooperation with related institutions.

## (3) Road Structures Emphasizing Vehicle Traffic Functions

Even for a general road, on a road which emphasizes automobile drivability with an advanced structure and few danger factors, the maximum speed shall in principle be 70 or 80 km/hr if safety is maintained.

### 2. Introduction of IT into Road Traffic

## (1) Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) $ ^{1} $ by Police

The police are promoting the development and installation of Universal Traffic Management Systems (UTMS) $ ^{2} $ such as the following three systems, using infrared beacons devices that optimize traffic management using cutting edge information communication technologies in order to achieve a safe, smooth, and comfortable traffic society with low environmental load.

## 1 ) Public Transportation Priority Systems (PTPS) $ ^{3} $

This system aims to improve on-time transport and user-friendliness, through traffic signal control prioritizing mass public transportation by bus, etc. (introduced in 40 prefectures as of the end of FY2009).

## 2 ) FAST Emergency Vehicle Preemption Systems (FAST) $ ^{4} $

This system allows traffic priority to vehicles used for lifesaving and other emergency purposes by controlling traffic signals. The aim of this system is to shorten the travel time for these vehicles to reach their destinations and avoid any accidents en route to reach their destinations (introduced in 13 prefectures as of the end of 2009).

## 3 ) Driving Safety Support Systems (DSSS) $ ^{5} $

This system aims to prevent traffic accidents by drawing attention to risk factors by offering peripheral traffic situations to drivers with the help of visual and audio information by creating an environment that enables driving with composure (introduced in 5 prefectures as of the end of FY2009).

## Note: 1 Intelligent Transport Systems

2: Universal Traffic Management Systems

3: Public Transportation Priority Systems

4: FAST emergency vehicle preemption systems

5: Driving Safety Support Systems