From the perspective of countermeasures against global warming and air pollution in large cities, we are enforcing policies to disseminate environmentally friendly vehicles such as by supporting the usage of CNG vehicles, Note $ ^{1} $ hybrid vehicles, and electric vehicles by truck, bus and taxi businesses. We are also supporting the implementation of a new category of transportation that contributes to energy conservation and low-carbon called “Ultra Lightweight Vehicles.”

## ⑷ Development, application and creating a usage environment for next generation heavy vehicles

In order to promote the development and application of next generation heavy vehicles, we have been developing the technology of high-efficiency hybrid trucks, electric and plug-in hybrid trucks, and high-performance electric buses since 2011. In the future, demonstration test runs shall be conducted under actual operating conditions for these prototypes, then we will move forward with initiatives to promote practical use.

## ⑦ Promoting and disseminating ecological driving

By cooperating with related departments and agencies, we revised the “Eco Drive 10 Recommendations” during the “Eco Drive Promotion Month” in November 2012. We also focused on conducting symposiums and lectures, and worked on educational activities for disseminating ecological driving through press releases. Furthermore, we are working to promote the dissemination of the Ecological Management System (EMS) $ ^{Note 2} $ to vehicular transpiration businesses.

## (2) Facilitation of traffic flow

Because increasing the speed of driving by facilitating traffic flow improves mileage and decreases the amount of $ CO_{2} $ emitted from vehicles, we are implementing various measures for traffic flow. Specifically, in order to alleviate traffic congestion in urban areas, we are arranging the arterial expressway network with belt highways which curbs the inflow of traffic to the inner-city by providing an alternative route for traffic moving through urban areas. Additionally, we are promoting three-dimensional intersections and the continuous grade separation project to eliminate railway crossings that stop traffic, and advancing the creation of a bicycle friendly environment by redistributing road space. Furthermore, we aim to eliminate traffic jams by providing information of detailed traffic information from road infrastructures such as ITS spots set in the center of expressways. Also, in order to promote energy conservation in road installations, we are implementing LED lighting on updated and newly constructed road lights.

## (3) Optimizing logistics

Exceeding 50% of the total domestic transportation means in Japan, trucking accounts for the majority of the share ratio (ton to kilometer basis in transportation). The $ CO_{2} $ discharge rate $ ^{Note 3} $ of trucks is greater than that of mass transits such as railways and domestic shipping, and accounts for up to 90% of the $ CO_{2} $ output in logistics. In order to reduce $ CO_{2} $ emission while sustaining domestic logistics, we must strive to utilize energy efficient transportation means such as railways and domestic shipping in addition to improving energy efficiency and transportation efficiency of each truck, in combination with transitioning trucking $ ^{Note 4} $ from private to commercial means. In attempt to promote the modal shift to railwaysroads and shipping, we are undertaking the railway cargo transportation enhancement project (completed in March 2013) at the Sumidagawa Station, conducting projects to promote low-carbon logistics that utilize railways, in a joint effort with the Ministry of Environment, and working to develop the use of domestic shipping and ferries by