# Chapter 9: Use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Promotion of Technical Research and Development

## Section 1 – Promotion of Innovation in MLIT Administration through Utilizing ICT

The IT Strategy Headquarters (Strategic Headquarters for the Promotion of an Advanced Information and Telecommunications Network Society), which is headed by the Prime Minister, is pushing forward the introduction of information technology into MLIT according to the “i-Japan Strategy 2015” determined in July 2009.

Moreover, related measures are being reviewed on the basis of the “Innovation Promotion Outline in MLIT” formulated in May 2007.

### 1. Introduction of ICT in the transport sector

## (1) Introduction of ICT in the public transport sector

In order to enhance the productivity and service of local medium and small-size public transport operators, it is important to utilize ICT. Currently, the IC card ticket has been mainly introduced on public transport in major metropolitan regions. However, it is having problems in terms of the cost of introducing IC card tickets to local public transport operators. Therefore, support is provided on the development for realizing an economical IC card ticket system that can be easily introduced into local medium and small-size public transport operators.

## (2) Promotion of ITS

The Intelligent Transport System (ITS) is constructed as a unitary system for humans, roads and vehicles by utilizing the most pioneering ICT. It is working out intelligent road usage, the safety of drivers and pedestrians, and the realization of significant improvement in transportation efficiency and comfort, as well as striving to resolve various social problems including traffic accidents and congestion, environmental problems and energy issues. It is also connected to the creation of new market structures in the related sectors of the information communication industry.

## 1 ) The penetration of ITS into society and its effect

## (A) Promotion of ETC popularization and effect

ETC is now usable on all toll roads throughout Japan. The accumulated number of new on-board equipment setup was about 30.08 million as of February 2010 and the usage rate in the highways of the whole country was about 83.9%. Through ETC, toll collection booth congestion, which accounted for about 30% of highway congestion, has been almost completely resolved and it is also contributing to reducing environmental burden, including the reduction of $ CO_{2} $ exhaustion. Moreover, at the same time as implementing measures utilizing ETC, such as the introduction of Smart IC, which is IC for the exclusive use of ETC and toll discounts given to ETC vehicles, a wide-range of diversified services utilizing ETC, such as enabling the application usage not only on toll roads but also in car park payment and ferry boarding procedures, has been exhibited.

## (B) Enhancement of road traffic information provision and its effect

As of December 2009, about 26 million sets of new on-board equipment, which are compatible with the Vehicle Information and Communication System aiming for the sophistication of route guidance, have flowed into the market. Through VICS, real-time road traffic information is provided, including travel times, congestion conditions and traffic regulation, so as to improve the convenience for drivers and to contribute to reducing the environmental burden such as through the reduction of $ CO_{2} $ exhaustion by improving the running fuel cost.

## 2 ) Technology development and verification trial of new ITS service

## (A) Popularization of ITS on-board equipment

Through the collaborative research between the government and the private sector aiming for the next generation, the technology specification of the new ITS system was developed for providing a single piece of new on-board equipment (new ITS on-board equipment) combining various new on-board equipment that have their own individual functions such as automotive navigation system, VICS, ETC, etc. This system used the internationally standardized 5.8GHz band DSRC (Spot Communication) $ ^{1} $ as the base, and enables the