Toyota is conducting the tests as part of its efforts to develop - in addition to autonomous onboard safety devices - vehicle-infrastructure cooperative systems that provide drivers traffic information by way of the roadside infrastructure and that are aimed at helping reduce traffic accidents through the use of the latest Intelligent Transport Systems technologies. Such cooperative systems enable collaboration not only between vehicles and the roadside infrastructure, but also among vehicles and between vehicles and pedestrians*3. This effort is in line with Toyota's Integrated Safety Management Concept announced in August.
With an aim toward reducing the dangers associated with vehicle use and realizing vehicles that do not cause accidents, Toyota hopes this effort will lead to the development of such systems as intervention-type, infrastructure-linked systems capable of not only providing information, but also warning drivers and slowing and/or stopping vehicles.
As a part of its efforts to realize sustainable mobility, Toyota intends to strengthen its traffic safety initiatives in the future through the development of even safer vehicles and technologies, participation in the creation of a safe traffic environment and engagement in activities designed to educate people in traffic safety. By doing so, Toyota intends to be able to contribute to the complete elimination of traffic casualties, which can be viewed as the ultimate hope of a society that values mobility.
More information on the Road Tests is available at
http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/news/06/1130.html .
*1 UTMS Japan is engaged in the study and research and development of universal traffic management systems, such as DSSS. Universal traffic management systems provide traffic information to drivers in real time using infrared beacons that conduct two-way communications with individual vehicles; they also aim to achieve safe, comfortable and environmentally considerate mobility by actively managing traffic flows.
*2 UTMS Japan is scheduling a separate a test-drive demonstration from December 4 to 6 in Aichi Prefecture.
*3 Intelligent Transport Systems-based cooperative systems wirelessly receive information from communications infrastructure installed along the road and from other vehicles concerning, among others, traffic signs as well as objects that the driver cannot directly see. Such systems notify the driver of beyond-view traffic signs and/or objects to support safe driving and help prevent accidents. The New IT Reform Strategy announced in January 2006 by the Japanese government's IT Strategic Headquarters indicates polices such as conducting large-scale verification testing of DSSS on selected public roads by FY2008 through collaboration between the public and private sectors and deploying the systems throughout the country from the year starting April 2010, with a focus on sites where traffic accidents occur frequently.
About Toyota Motor Corporation
Toyota Motor Corporation (TSE: 7203; NYSE: TM), established in 1937, is one of the world's representative automobile manufacturers, producing vehicles in 26 countries and regions and marketing vehicles in more than 170 countries and regions. In fiscal 2006, Toyota provided nearly eight million vehicles on a consolidated basis to customers around the world under the Toyota, Lexus, Daihatsu and Hino brands. Toyota had more than 280,000 employees at the end of fiscal 2006. The company is headquartered in Aichi, Japan. For more information, please visit www.toyota.co.jp/en/index.html.
Source: Toyota Motor Corporation
Contact:
Corporate Communications Department Public Affairs Division Toyota Motor Corporation Tel: +81-3-3817-9150 URL: http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/
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