Kunihiro Sakamoto

Effectiveness of Bus Priority Lane as Countermeasure for Congestion

The main objective of this research is to identify the effectiveness of the bus priority lane in Shizuoka City, Japan, as a countermeasure for traffic congestion. Shizuoka City, the capital of Shizuoka Prefecture in Japan, suffers from frequent traffic congestion. To tackle this problem, authorities of Shizuoka City tested a pilot project that implemented bus rapid transit (BRT) strategies. This project included a bus priority lane along a 3-km segment and a bus priority signal system. The project data were obtained mainly through traffic surveys, bus surveys, and questionnaire surveys, which were conducted by the authors and by Shizuoka City authorities. All these surveys were carried out twice, before and after the implementation of BRT strategies. After priority treatments were introduced, the number of vehicles using the main road was reduced. Also, queue-length and jam-length measurements showed signs of easing of traffic congestion, and travel times of general vehicles were improved. Although the change associated with total travel time of buses was not statistically significant, it still showed a reducing trend. However, travel times of buses, excluding dwelling times, showed a significant reduction. The difference of significance associated with the above travel parameters was mainly caused by the increase incurred in dwelling times of buses. It was evident that the smoothness of traffic flow along the bus lane as well as along the general traffic lane was improved by the BRT project.

An effect of social experiment of Parking Reservation Priority System in a world heritage district

The Parking Reservation System which disperse and cut demand to concentrate on temporarily by making a parking reserve has been expected, while main transportation problem such as the queue for parking and traffic in sightseeing spot become obvious. However, There are few real introduced examples under the present conditions in a sightseeing spot. Therefore, in this study, We examined irtroduction of social experiment of parking reservation priority system to grasp effect and receptiveness of parking reservation priority system for world heritage Shirago. And, We ananged the problem for the real introduction ofpaiicing reservation priority system.

DECISION MAKING PROCESS OF TRAFFIC CALMING DEVICES: A Comparative Study

In this paper researchers describe the systematic implementation of traffic calming devices as a means of reducing high traffic speed and through traffic volume for residentially zoned areas. As few areas in Japan, where traffic calming is to be deployed, deploy calming in a systematic manner, researchers attempted to quantify the measures taken in North America and Europe through the use of questionnaires. Additional surveys were conducted as in-depth interviews in Largo, Maryland and Sacramento, California in the U.S. Researchers attempted to determine traffic calming issues and processes and what sorts of traffic calming devices have been implemented in the municipalities. Questions concerning political steps taken towards traffic calming that take account of local voter opinions were also asked. An evaluation of the received surveys is also presented.

Experimental research on the role of Parking Reservation System in TDM package scheme in tourist areas

When think about transportation demand management (TDM) in tourist areas, it is desired to prepare as many choices as possible, because of considering tourists diversities. The parking reservation system (PRS) which is aimed to decrease the phenomenon of worsening traffic environment, such as the car searching or waiting for into the parking lots, has come into the limelight as one of the choice of this. In this study, we analyzed the demand which PRS bears, how PRS affect to sightseeing action of sightseers, and the evaluation of sightseers to PRS, in package type TDM including two or more measures.

Practical development of a bus information system based on the time-of-arrival prediction corresponding to user needs

While bus traffic is following the situation of a decline, many policies corresponding to various needs has been performed in order to improve it. Especially the bus information system is achieving success. The basis of such a background, merit and demerit are examined from the existing bus location system and as a practical system, the bus information system which had usability, reliability, and stability with it was built. Moreover, it tried to find out the technique for the improvement in accuracy of “ bus time-of-arrival prediction” which is the main function of the built system.

Effectiveness of Parking/Traffic simulation for Optimizing Parking and Route Choice

The purpose of this research is an examination of the possibility of efficient use of parking facilities and road network according to offer of advanced parking information for the area where selection action of a parking is seen. First, parking information was conducted to know influence on a drivers action, and created the action model. Then, information of all time required (the waiting time within queuing is included) to the course guidance from the result of a simulation or a parking has big influence to parking selection of a driver or not to link with efficient use of the whole network directly only by raising the information rate of use.

Real time traffic information system-A step towards total traffic management at Kamakura

By using Internet technology, we can easily develop traffic information systems.The purpose of this study is to build up and confirm effect of original traffic information systems which includes trip time, parking facility situation and video monitoring. This information system can give the driver trip-time by usingtheinformation board on the road and WWW. There was no problem about the accuracy of the acquired time required, but this system was not able to achieve the expected effect so much for various factors. It is likely to become a means to which the timing of the dissemination and the offer of real time video view, etc. are effective after this.