VICS--STRATEGY AND DEPLOYMENT PLAN

The purpose of the vehicle information and communication system (VICS) is to facilitate smoother flowing and safer traffic on Japan's network of roads. VICS requires four kinds of traffic information handling systems--traffic information collection, information processing and editing, information distribution, and information utilization--and enormous capital expenditures are involved in building and operating these systems. The investment burden of implementing VICS is being minimized by incorporating existing systems and infrastructure to the greatest extent possible, and by sharing the burden of necessary new construction. VICS is based on a strong element of private initiative and built on a public platform that is already in place. Although VICS will eventually be deployed across the whole country, the initial rollout will target a more limited area where the need is greatest to maintain a balance between system income and expenditures.