Toward the Realization of Smartway Service

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) has been conducting research and development of “Smartway”. As the world’s first deployment of cooperative systems, the ministry has undertaken the nationwide installation of the infrastructure, roadside DSRC antennas (ITS Spots), accompanied by the beginning of sales of ITS on-board units (OBUs), that are vital elements in the establishment of Smartway. This paper introduces the history of research and development and the future development of Smartway, conducted by MLIT.