The Intelligent Transport System (ITS) aims to offer a solution to traffic accidents, congestion and other road transportation problems by using the latest information and communication technology to unite drivers, roads and vehicles in a data network. In Japan, a collaborative organization among industry, academia and government - spearheaded by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the National Police Agency - is carrying out R&D activities to make this system a reality.
In September 2006, the Hiroshima Area ITS Public Road Proving Test Association was established through a cooperative industry-academia-government effort involving Mazda; the Chugoku Regional Development Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport; the Hiroshima Prefectural Police Headquarters; Hiroshima University and other organizations. The association was formed to promote empirical tests on vehicle safety technology using cutting-edge ITS.
Automotive Engineering Exposition
On May 23, 2007, Mazda presented the research results*1 of the Driving Safety Support System at the Automotive Engineering Exposition, an automotive technology event held at the Pacifico Yokohama. The system has a "probing function"*2 that uses the Internet to gather information on vehicle speed, position and other data.
With the system, data on road locations where sudden braking has occurred is collected through the probing function and compiled at a dedicated center. The resulting geographic data is being used to create a "near-accident map" by analyzing likely danger areas. The effect of changes in weather, time of day and other factors will also be analyzed and reflected in the map. The data will be transmitted to car navigation and other onboard systems, where voice and other guidance will alert the driver to these potential dangers.
*1 Conducted as a joint research project of the Internet ITS Consortium, headed up by Mazda and involving DENSO Corporation, NEC Corporation, Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd. and the Japan Weather Association.
*2 A function that considers each vehicle as a probe and transmits the vehicle's array of sensor data outside the vehicle for collection in real time.
Personal Message
In dangerous spots where many drivers have suddenly hit the brakes, a little inattention can lead to a serious accident. Using the probing function, we can identify these danger areas and call them to the driver's attention.
The probing function is a way to create a safer and more secure automotive society by bringing together information from all drivers. I am very excited about putting this technology to practical use.
Shinya Yamasaki
Technical Research Center
Advanced Safety Vehicle (ASV) test model based on the Atenza
Mazda is taking part in the ASV Development Promotion Project, sponsored by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. All domestic automotive manufacturers (four-wheel vehicles, two-wheel vehicles, trucks and buses) are participating in this project to research and develop driving safety support systems using vehicle-to-vehicle communication.
Mazda developed a test vehicle based on the Atenza and in FY2005 conducted joint proving tests at the Tomakomai Winter Test Track of the Civil Engineering Research Institute for Cold Region. The tests investigated the driving safety support system's ability to prevent head-on, right-turn and other types of collisions on roads with poor visibility by using vehicle-to-vehicle data exchange.
- Example of a System Using Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication: Danger Avoidance and Collision Prevention during Right Turns
The system receives information on the proximity of oncoming vehicles through vehicle-to-vehicle communication. When danger is detected, the system alerts the driver with voice guidance and a visual display reading "Oncoming vehicle approaching."
Mazda is participating in the Driving Safety Support Systems (DSSS) development project being promoted by the National Police Agency and the Universal Traffic Management Society of Japan.
This project conducts R&D on DSSS that employ optical beacons and other means of road-to-vehicle communication.
* The Universal Traffic Management System (UTMS) aims to build a transportation society that is safe, pleasant and environmentally friendly, through sophisticated information and communication technology, such as two-way communication between the traffic control system and individual vehicles.
Smart Way is a system also known as the Advanced Cruise-Assist Highway System (AHS) that aims to reduce traffic accidents and ease traffic jams by linking roads and vehicles using roadside sensors, road-to-vehicle communication and other cutting-edge ITS technologies.
The Smart Way Project to develop and bring this system into practice is currently being spearheaded by the Road Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The project researches and develops driving support systems, employing radio beacons for road-to-vehicle communication mainly on national highways and expressways.
In May 2007, proving tests were begun on national highways around Tokyo, with participation by automobile manufacturers, car navigation system makers and other relevant organizations. The tests seek to verify the effectiveness of safety systems linked with road infrastructure in preventing such accidents as rear-end collisions when approaching traffic congestion.
