On October 30, 2024, NEXCO East Japan held its third regular press conference, at which Hiroyuki Tanaka, General Manager of the Administration & Operations Division, explained the development status of the snow and ice control system.
In 2023, the company will realize automatic driving of a rotary snowplow using a quasi-zenith satellite. The company is working with Isuzu Motors on the joint development of automatic driving of a signposted vehicle that will follow behind the rotary snowplow. Isuzu Motors has been developing automated driving buses and has decided to engage in this joint research.
The sign trucks alert drivers with electric signs and rotating lights to prevent collisions or contact between snowplows and other vehicles traveling at low speeds on the shoulder of the road. The distance between snowplows and sign trucks is not always constant, and at curves and other points where visibility is poor, it is necessary to increase the distance between vehicles according to the road alignment and gradient.
Based on this, the vehicle under development will share location information and specify the distance between vehicles through inter-vehicle communication, in addition to the location information of both the snowplow and signaling vehicle using a satellite positioning system. In the event of snow falling from the snow accumulation area after snow removal, the sign vehicle will be able to ensure safety with various sensors.
In September, the vehicle was tested on the main lane of the Iwamizawa IC to Mikasa IC of the Hokkaido Expressway, and is scheduled to be tested on snow-covered road surfaces during the winter season. Currently, two drivers operate the vehicle, but with this technology, the company is aiming for one-man operation.
© Source travel watch
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.