Nissan participates in ITS-Safety 2010 industry-wide test

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., today announced it will participate in "ITS-Safety 2010," a large-scale test of future automotive Intelligent Transportation Systems, with four advanced safety prototype vehicles. Nissan ITS technologies include Driving Safety Support Systems (DSSS) and Advanced Safety Vehicle (ASV).

The "ITS-Safety 2010" test is targeting technology to be partially applied in FY2010. Conducted by the "ITS Promotion Committee," a private-public joint organization, the test begins January 12 in Odaiba, the new Tokyo waterfront subcenter area. Actual driving demonstrations will also be held for the media and the public from February 25.

Among the items to be tested in the "ITS-Safety 2010," the advanced vehicle-to-infrastructure communications system which Nissan has been developing -- through the company's own tests with the participation of 2,000 people since 2006 -- has been officially adopted to the DSSS part of this test. The goal of the large-scale test is to develop an understanding of the service effectiveness and the practical use of the system. Additionally, the effectiveness of accident prevention will be quantitatively evaluated.

In addition to above vehicle-to-infrastructure tests, Nissan has been developing the system which integrates cellular phones with vehicle telematics to help prevent pedestrian-related accidents, aiming to prevent vehicle-to-passenger accidents.

Based on "Safety Shield," Nissan's concept of "the vehicle that helps protect people," Nissan will actively promote "Collision Free" vehicles, utilize the knowledge gained from them and continuously develop safety technologies.

[B][U]Specific information on this large-scale test is as follows:[/B][/U]

[B]1. Driving Safety Support Systems (DSSS)[/B]

Nissan's vehicle-to-infrastructure communications system, utilizing optical beacons, was adopted in the "Driving Safety Support Systems (DSSS)" project promoted by the National Police Agency and its extra-departmental organization, Universal Traffic Management Society of Japan (UTMS). Specific systems for DSSS include:

* Support system to prevent traffic-signal oversights
* Support system to prevent rear end collisions
* Support system to prevent overlooking stop signs
* Support system to prevent crossing collisions
* Support system to prevent collisions at the time of right turns.
* Information provision system for vehicles queuing to take right turns
* Information provision system for vehicles changing lanes

For example, to help prevent vehicle collisions at intersections on priority roads where there are no traffic signals and without a good view of oncoming traffic, the system conveys information about vehicles on side roads via vehicle-to-infrastructure communication (using optical beacons) and informs them via the vehicle's navigation system. This helps drivers recognize potential oncoming or merging vehicles and helps the driver have enough time to judge traffic conditions.
[IMG]http://www.oneshift.com/showroom/uploadimages/resized-20090108231533275.jpg[/IMG]

[B]Driving Safety Support Systems (DSSS)[/B]

Nissan set up a Kanagawa DSSS working group and has been conducting a large-scale test since 2006 at high-accident intersections in the City of Yokohama with participation of about 2,000 drivers. Nissan is also playing a leading role in completing the large-scale demonstration test by, for example, becoming a group leader in the optical beacon sub-working group of the Tokyo DSSS working group in UTMS.

[B]2. Advanced Safety Vehicle (ASV)[/B]

Under "the 4th phase of ASV (Advanced Safety Vehicle) Project" conducted by the Road Transport Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, there are five ASV systems that Nissan will adopt in this test:

* Rear-end collision prevention system
* Crossing collision prevention system
* Collision prevention system at the time of right turns
* Collision prevention system at the time of left turns
* Information on emergency vehicles provision system

Specifically, the system encourages drivers' safe driving by informing them of the risk of collisions with other vehicles, which are recognized by vehicle-to-vehicle communications. Alerts include sounds and icons on the navigation system screen. Also, when vehicles stop and then start moving again when crossing an intersection or turning right, the system warns the driver of the presence of other vehicles.

[IMG]http://www.oneshift.com/showroom/uploadimages/resized-20090108231501027.jpg[/IMG]

[B]Advanced Safety Vehicle (ASV)[/B]

Nissan is a group leader in the large-scale demonstration test working group which plans and conducts an experimental development in order to promote the practical use of safe driving support systems, especially those utilizing vehicle-to-vehicle communications. In this test, Nissan is working on collecting technical data and identifying problems for the purpose of developing practical uses of vehicle-to-vehicle communication.

[B]3. Smartway[/B]

Under the "Smartway Project" conducted by Road Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the systems targeted in this demonstration test are as follows:

* Service to provide information on obstacles ahead
* Service to provide information on conditions ahead
* Merging assistance service
* Providing location information (electronic signs)

For instance, the service to provide information on obstacles ahead makes the drivers more careful and encourages lower speeds and wider following distances by detecting upcoming traffic congestion, stopped traffic and low-speed vehicles. The system sends information to the following vehicles via vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, informing the drivers through the navigation system.

[IMG]http://www.oneshift.com/showroom/uploadimages/resized-20090108231445904.jpg[/IMG]

[B]Smartway[/B]

Nissan has actively participated in Smartway Demo 2006 and Smartway Demo 2007 and has been collecting technical data and working on practical applications of the project.

Credits: JRC