### 1. Measures against the environmental problem of road traffic

## (1) Measures for individual automobiles

## 1 ) Reinforcement of exhaust gas emissions regulation

Regarding measures against the exhaust gases of new vehicles, in order to further reduce nitrogen oxide and the particulate emitted from trucks, buses and passenger-carrying vehicles, the world’s highest standard strict regulation (Post New Long-Term Regulation) was established in 2008. Starting from October 2009, compulsory compliance was steadily applied.

Additionally, exhaust gas measures for vehicles in use (vehicles currently being used) are being carried out based on the “Act Concerning Special Measures for Total Emission Reduction of Nitrogen Oxides and Particulate Matter from Automobiles in Specified Areas” and great efforts are being put into further measures against exhausted gas.

## 2 ) Development and practicality enhancement of low pollution vehicles

Large-scale diesel vehicle is a major source of air pollution. In order to push forward the development and practicality enhancement of next generation low pollution vehicles that are able to replace large-scale diesel vehicles (e.g. non-contact power supply hybrid cars), with the cooperation of industry, educational institutions and the government, the development of vehicles and running trials for verification are being implemented. Moreover, environmental development for popularization is being carried out, such as the formulation of technology standards on safety and environmental preservation.

## (2) Enhancing the smoothness of traffic flow

## 1 ) Measures for air quality

The PM and NOX emissions levels from automobiles will increase while the frequency of starting and stopping increases, and running speed decreases. Therefore, from the viewpoint of roadside environmental improvement, measures for enhancing the smoothness of traffic flow are being pushed forward such as highway network development, measures against bottlenecks, transportation demand management (TDM) measures etc.

## 2 ) Measure against noise

The construction of low noise pavements and soundproofing walls, the development of environmental facility areas, etc. are being carried out. In addition, based on the “Act on the Improvement of Areas Along Trunk Roads”, in the districts of the roadside district plan, subsidies are being provided to the construction cost of buffer buildings or the soundproofing construction costs for residential housing.

### 2. Environmental Measures for Airports and Surrounding Areas

The most effective measure against aircraft noise is to introduce low noise aircraft. When comparing the noise value of the existing B767 (80dBA) with the old DC8, the range over which areas were affected by noise reduced by around 90%. In regions that are still being affected by noise, although soundproofing construction is being implemented in private houses, regarding the corresponding construction, future maintenance issue remain but they are generally completed. The problem of aircraft noise is improving. In FY 2009, following Osaka International Airport, the investigation of the noise situation was performed in Matsuyama Airport for the reviewing of noise measure districts. On the other hand, in order to work out a balance between the airport and the surrounding area, it is necessary to carry on with measures for reducing noise now and in the future.

### 3. Measures against Railway Noise

Regarding measures against noise caused by Shinkansen, measures for dealing with noise sources are being carried out through the increase of soundproofing walls with environmental standards, the setup of pantograph-covers, the rectification of rails, etc. For situations where this is difficult to achieve by these measures, subsidies are being provided to the soundproofing construction of private houses.

In addition, regarding measures against noise caused by old railways, based on the “Guideline on the measures against noise during new construction or large-scale reform of existing railways”, instructions are being given to railway business operators such that they have to remain below a certain level in terms of new constructions and make the situation better before performing reforms in the form of large-scale reforms of existing routes.