ROAD TRAFFIC INFORMATION COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AT THE METROPOLITAN EXPRESSWAY

The significance of the Metropolitan Expressway, over 250 km in total extension, is increasing daily. It is considered the main artery of the metropolitan area where the mean daily traffic exceeds 1.1 million vehicles. There are many critical issues, such as chronic congestion, constant accidents, and necessity for more accurate information to drivers. To determine an effective way of providing information under such conditions, two demonstration tests were conducted. The vehicle information and communication system (VICS) designed on the experimental results has several features. It provides information: 1) on road traffic in on-line real-time basis; 2) for various utilitarian patterns; and 3) based on the standard unified with other information-supplying facilities. Main processing functions for VICS include: 1) converting road traffic information into beacon data format and transmitting it; 2) supervising operating states of information-providing equipment including beacons; and 3) checking and storing beacon-provided information and other related management data, etc. The provided information consists of the static and dynamic. Information flow at present is designed for one way from beacons to vehicles. Both-way transmission for advanced individual communication based on independent vehicle recognition is expected to be realized in the future to improve safety, efficiency, and convenience in road utilization and management.