 |
Toward More Convenient
Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)
ITS Upgraded in the Second
Stage
KUWAHARA Masao
Continuous Growth of
ITS
SHIMADA Shigehito/SUZUKI Katsuyoshi/ADACHI Toshiro
The Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system has become widely disseminated
throughout the Japanese highway network and more than 60% of all
vehicles now pass through tollgates without stopping. Intelligent
Transport Systems (ITS), of which the ETC system is a part, evolved
into the first stage, practical application, in the second half
of the 1990s after progressing from the R&D phase. The field
of ITS is now entering the second stage, the development stage,
where technical development for various applications will be actualized.
In this stage, onboard units, roadside equipment, and central processing
units will cooperate to offer various services.
ITS can be considered to be a new social infrastructure system in
the area of road networks. Close technical liaison between information
technology for system construction and technologies for road equipment
will be required to meet users' expectations for services that provide
the optimum convenience, which will appear in the second stage.
New Toll Structure
Utilizing Electronic Toll Collection System and Development of Central
Computer System
NUKADA Sunao/KAWAMI Atsushi/KIMURA Kenji/IKEDA Hiromi
The Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system commenced operation
in March 2001. ETC is available at almost all tollgates and is used
by a majority of vehicles passing tollgates in Japan. It enables
not only cashless, nonstop payment at tollgates, but also flexible
toll structures taking advantage of its information processing capabilities.
Moreover, an advanced discount service according to the frequency
of use was inaugurated last year.
We will continue to construct a system that meets social needs by
fully utilizing our system building know-how accumulated since the
introduction of ETC.
Opposing Lane
Vehicle Information System
YAMADA Yoshihiro/NAGAI Takehiko/OKI Yoshiaki
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) is furthering
the development of the Advanced Cruise-Assist Highway Systems (AHS),
which is expected to reduce traffic accidents. As a member of the
Advanced Cruise-Assist Highway System Research Association (AHSRA),
which has received the commission for this development from the
National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management, Toshiba
has supplied an opposing lane vehicle information system taking
the vicinity of the 97.1 kilometer post on National Highway 191
as the targeted section for providing the information service.
The opposing lane vehicle information system provides information
on oncoming vehicles to car drivers via a road information board
to draw their attention when they are approaching a curved section,
after detecting vehicles that are advancing into the curved section
in the opposing lane. The system is expected to have the effect
of preventing or reducing car accidents and related damage.
New "System05"
Traffic Control System for Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway
MURANO Takenori/WATANABE Tomohide/MURAKAMI Atsushi/TAGUCHI Hirokazu
The traffic control system for the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway
has been installed not only for the purpose of avoiding traffic
congestion, but also to inform drivers of the details of accidents
and disasters to minimize damage, ensure early recovery, and prevent
the occurrence of secondary incidents in the case of accidents.
The traffic control system is a vitally important social system
that must be in operation 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, without
any gaps, even when it is modified to cope with expansion of the
route network or system upgrading and updating. The previous traffic
control system has now been renewed as "System05," to
offer drivers more useful and sophisticated traffic information.
Visible Light
Communication System for Application to ITS
SUZUKI Katsuyoshi
Information communication technologies are an essential element
of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). Toshiba has been studying
the application of visible light communication (VLC) to ITS, as
one such technology in which research has been progressing recently.
VLC makes communication possible using visible light. For example,
information can be transmitted by rapidly blinking light-emitting
diodes (LEDs). As regards the use of this technology in the ITS
field, possible applications include communication from roadside
lights, information boards, and traffic signals to vehicles; vehicle-to-vehicle
communication; and pedestrian information systems.
We have created a prototype system for experimental purposes and
confirmed that VLC realizes the multiplex communication of information,
which is completely different from the conventional provision of
visible information by an information board.
Vehicle Detection
System Using Rotation Vector Tracking Method
AIKAWA Tetsuro/SATOH Yoshinori/NAGAO Kazuchika
Sensors that detect dangerous traffic events have been introduced
on highways to prevent accidents. In particular, visual sensors
detect dangerous events by processing images obtained from cameras.
Such sensors also allow road conditions to be observed via monitors
and are often applied to surveillance systems in tunnels. However,
the performance of conventional systems is easily affected by the
quality of the images.
Toshiba has developed a vehicle detection system using a rotation
vector tracking method, and confirmed the effective operation of
this system even in difficult environments.
Microscopic
Traffic Simulator Corresponding to Road Network
UENO Hideki/HIRATA Yosuke/OHBA Yoshikazu
Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) are mostly large and complex,
and evaluating their functions in experiments using real vehicles
is very difficult. Traffic simulators are highly important and useful
from this viewpoint.
Toshiba had previously developed a microscopic traffic simulator
based on molecular dynamics simulation for use in the research and
development of large traffic systems. However, its application was
restricted to local areas. We have now developed a microscopic traffic
simulator that corresponds to a road network.
JF-1000 High-Velocity
Jet Fan
HAYASHI Kenichiro/NIIZEKI Yoshiki/ITOH Shoko
A tunnel ventilation fan is a compulsory ventilating system suspended
on a tunnel ceiling that exhausts polluted air in the tunnel and
takes outside fresh air into the tunnel. The average wind velocity
of jet fans, which is a measure of their specified ventilation capacity,
has been 30 m/s for many years. Recently, however, demand has arisen
in the market for jet fans with a higher wind velocity of 35 m/s,
in order to reduce the number of jet fans installed for economic
reasons.
To satisfy this customer requirement, Toshiba has developed a lineup
of high-performance jet fans that produce higher wind velocity but
low noise. This paper introduces the JF-1000 model in our jet fan
lineup, which features a 1,030 mm bore and is in high demand in
the market.
Technologies
for Road Power Supply Systems
OTSUKA Takashi/ADACHI Toshiro
Road infrastructure facilities have been expanding and progressing
with the development and diffusion of Intelligent Transport Systems
(ITS). Road power supply systems, which supply electric power to
these facilities, must not only fulfill their original purpose of
providing a stable supply of electric power, but are also now being
required to offer added value in consideration of cost reduction
and environmental preservation.
The construction of systems that conform with these market requirements
without any deterioration in reliability and maintenance is therefore
an important issue. Toshiba is tackling this issue using the latest
technologies and long-accumulated know-how in this field.
|
