PROGRESS OF THE UTMS PROJECT IN JAPAN

Universal traffic management systems (UTMS) are one of the intelligent transportation systems (ITS)-related projects in Japan. Infrared beacons, which allow two-way interactive communication with vehicles, are the key infrastructure of these systems. By installing as many infrared beacons as possible throughout Japan, functions to collect traffic information and to provide the processed information may be rapidly advanced in both quality and quantity. Each UTMS consists of six subsystems. Combining these and other systems together, the National Police Agency intends to make all police traffic control centers more integrated and intelligent with a view to advance traffic signal control and information processing functions at these centers. Upon implementation of the UTMS concept, safer, smoother, and more comfortable traffic situations should be produced in the road networks of Japan. In this paper, the following topics are described: 1) research and development organizations for promoting the UTMS; 2) basic guidelines and funding for promoting UTMS programs across the country; and 3) relationship between UTMS and other projects in Japan.