Act on Reduction of Total Amount of Nitrogen Dioxide and Particulate Matters Originating from Automobiles in Designated Areas (Automobile NOx PM Law)” are being implemented; Japan is working to bolster exhaust measures.

## ② Development and practical application of next generation heavy vehicles

In order to stimulate the development and practical use of next generation vehicles, Japan is preparing environments for their dissemination. The government, industry, and academia are collaborating in their efforts for conducting demonstrative driving tests and vehicle development regarding high efficiency hybrid trucks, next generation bio-diesel engines, electric or plug-in hybrid trucks, and high performance electric buses, also formulating technical policies on safety and environmental conservation.

## (2) Facilitating traffic flow

## ① Policies on air quality

Due to the increase in emission of particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides from vehicles from decreased driving speed and from frequent stop-and-go driving, we are looking for ways to improve roadside driving, and policies for facilitating traffic flow are being implemented, such as the maintenance of highway networks, preventative measures against bottleneck traffic, and schemes in traffic demand management (TDM).

## ② Countermeasures for noise pollution

The correlation between driving speed and the emission of suspended particulate matter (SPM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) from vehicles

Source) MLIT

Japan is proceeding with the lamination of low-

noise pavement, installation of noise barriers, and maintenance for environmental roadside facilities. Based on the “Law for the Improvement of Areas along Trunk Roads,” in addition to preventative measures for issues caused by traffic noise, financial assistance is being provided for buffer buildings and noise insulation work for housing in construction projects for areas alongside roads.

## Environmental measures for airports and surrounding areas

The most effective means of curbing aircraft noise is the implementation of low-noise equipment. In comparison to the past DC8, the current B767 only produces 80dB (A) $ ^{Note} $ of noise which has an approximately 90% smaller range of noise impact. However, even if low noise equipment is implemented, areas that are affected by noise impact require measures such as noise insulation work and relocation compensation projects. Most of the sound insulation work for housing, excluding continued maintenance, has been completed. Although the issues related to aircraft noise are progressing towards improvement and noise control zones in each airport are being sequentially reviewed, further measures are needed to reduce noise pollution in the future in order to promote harmonious development around airports and surrounding areas.

## 3 Control policies for railway noise

In policies to control noise created by Shinkansen, to satisfy environmental standards, Railway company have implemented sound source control measures such as installing and heightening noise barriers, installing pantograph covers, and conducting corrective railway grinding to eliminate the cause of noise itself. As for the construction of new railways for Shinkansen, for regions where the measures mentioned are difficult to implement, Japan is providing financial aid for sound insulation work in already existence housing.

As for noise control measures for existing lines, each railway company is instructed to lower noise levels below a fixed value when constructing new railways and renovating already existing railways more than before in large-scale.