Okayama Information Highway

In March 2000, Okayama Prefecture introduced an information tele-communication network called "Okayama Information Highway," for promoting various activities to improve the convenience of daily life and vitalize industries. These include eliminating regional differences in information provision; establishing the foundation for an advanced information-oriented society; improving medical and welfare services and education; promoting industries in regional communities; implementing wide-area administration; and providing advanced and effective administrative services.
In order to cope with problems related to road traffic, including congestion and obstruction, the Okayama National Highway Work Office of the Ministry of Construction has introduced various road traffic information systems utilizing the Okayama Information Highway, and is providing road users with a wide range of information via information kiosks installed at "michi-no-eki," Internet, CATV, and mobile phones with Internet access.

[ Example of users' evaluation ]
Respondents said that each system needs to be improved in terms of information contents, user-friendliness, locations of information provision facilities, and transmission speed.
However, they were also quite satisfied with the effects of the advance information provision.

Schematic diagram of ITS pilot tests through model deployments using the Okayama Information Highway

Michi-no-Eki Kamogawa-Enjyo where an information kiosk was set up.


Information kiosk
(in front of Okayama Station)

Bus arrival time prediction system

Traffic congestion caused by commuting during weekdays and shopping on weekends and holidays, and resulting poor access to the destination are pressing problems in the urban areas of Okayama Prefecture. To encourage commuters to use public transport, the bus arrival prediction system, which informs users of the bus arrival time via the Internet, CATV and mobile phone with Internet access, was introduced in December 1999 on the shuttle bus service on the National Highway No. 30 (between Okayama Station and Uno Port).
It is not yet clear whether this system has increased the number of public transport users. However, the provision of precise information on bus arrival time helps reduce irritation while waiting for a bus and reduce travel time due to shorter waiting time.

[ Example of users' evalution ]
According to a questionnaire survey on the users of the system who have a mobile phone that can access the Internet, about 80% said that the system is useful and 95% said they want to use the system.

Parking Lot Information Provision System (provision of information on vacancies at parking lots)

In the major urban areas in Okayama Prefecture, vehicles waiting for a vacancy in front of parking lots and those driving around to find a parking space often cause traffic congestion. The Parking Lot Information Provision System was introduced in those areas to solve this problem. This system provides drivers with information on vacancies at parking lots via the Internet before they leave, allowing them to drive straight to the destination. The parking lot information is divided into three classifications: full, crowded, and vacant.
The information in the urban area of Okayama City is automatically updated every five minutes.

[ Example of users' evalution ]
Since this information provision service was introduced, the web site hit count has been steadily increasing, and has now reached more than 700 per month. This indicates that the users are quite satisfied with the system.

Provision of parking lot information using the Internet