The Japanese have come up with a new software that guides drivers about the best route to where they are headed, avoiding the traffic jams on way
drivers struggling to get out of traffic jams in Tokyo can now hope for a respite. It is now possible for hapless drivers to receive real-time information about which is the best route to their office and whether their favourite parking space is free. This has been made possible through a huge effort to build the vehicle information and communication system (vics) -- it took five years, three government agencies, and 94 carmakers, computers and electronics companies to clearly put together a new concept in modern traffic management.
The driver with vics has a computer screen to the left of his steering wheel. This shows the driver's position on a liquid crystal display with a map denoting the live traffic data. Traffic jams appear as red lines; free flow roads are shown in green. The system can indicate two routes at the same time, allowing the driver to compare the distances and time required to reach the destination.
Toyota, Japan's giant car manufacturer and a partner in the vics, claims that "voice guidance and touch-pad input make it easy for anyone to use the system". When the driver wants to change routes due to a sudden traffic jam, the system can identify the alternate route at the touch of a button. If the driver chooses to deviate from the designated route, the system helps him find his way back with voice and visual commands. vics is like a big brother watching over the roads. An important feature is the Mayday system, which emits an sos signal to the central control room, identifying the exact location of the accident.
For a driver, unfamiliar with the area, vioce navigation acts as a guide. There is a profusion of other accessories. The heads-up display in the windshield always shows the direction of travel, so the driver would not lose the sense of direction. Near intersections, the monitor automatically zooms in on an enlarged image, displaying location of gas stations, convenience stores and other services. The database includes telephone directory of all of Japan -- this means that you can punch in a telephone number or the name of a business and instantly get linked to it. Frequently used phone numbers could be stored for an instant access.
Such precise and real time-information is made available by collating and overlaying information from different sources, like the central computer processes data from the Japan Road Traffic Information Centre, which is linked to different roads through sensors. This is fed almost directly to drivers using radio beacons along expressways, optical beacons on regular roads and fm radiowaves. Global positioning satellites help locate Mayday signals.
vics will be extended to the whole of Japan by the year 2015 at an estimated cost of us $11 billion, says Okihiko Fujita, executive director, vics. He claims that the economic benefits -- through a saving in time and energy, and a reduction in accidents -- will add up to seven times the cost. Car manufacturers in Japan are all praise for the new system. According to the spokesperson of Toyota, "Automatic safety devices, such as airbags and anti-lock brake systems, represent great strides in automotive safety. But most important aspect of safety is detecting obstacles way ahead in advance to prevent vehicular collisions in the first place. The main objective of r&d is this area is to equip our cars with an eyesight.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.