Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) and its subsidiary, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Machinery Systems, Ltd. (MHI-MS), are set to participate in Japan’s first autonomous truck trial on a section of the Shin-Tomei Expressway. The trial, initiated by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), the National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management (NILIM), and Central Nippon Expressway Company Limited (NEXCO Central), will begin on March 3 and aims to advance autonomous driving technology in real-world conditions.
As part of this initiative, MHI-MS has developed and deployed the ‘Merging Support Information System,’ designed to facilitate smooth and safe merging of autonomous trucks onto the main highway. One of the most challenging aspects of autonomous driving is merging, where vehicles must seamlessly integrate with existing traffic. The newly developed system enhances safety by allowing autonomous trucks to receive real-time data about traffic flow before entering the acceleration lane, enabling them to adjust their speed accordingly.
The Merging Support Information System is a key component of the ‘Cooperative Vehicle/Infrastructure System,’ a technology designed to enhance communication between vehicles and roadway infrastructure. The system consists of vehicle detection sensors and a roadside processing unit, which collectively monitor highway traffic conditions. Data gathered from sensors installed along the roadway is transmitted to autonomous trucks attempting to merge. By receiving this information in advance, trucks can identify a suitable merging point and synchronize their speed with the flow of traffic, thereby minimizing disruptions and enhancing overall road safety.
Beyond its benefits for autonomous vehicles, the system also extends support to non-autonomous vehicles equipped with compatible receivers such as ETC 2.0 and ITS Connect. ETC 2.0 not only facilitates electronic toll collection but also provides additional traffic-related data, while ITS Connect enables direct vehicle-to-vehicle communication, offering real-time driving assistance based on surrounding conditions. This integration ensures that human drivers can also leverage the system’s benefits, contributing to a safer and more efficient highway experience for all road users.
The trial itself will take place during late-night hours, with a dedicated priority lane for autonomous trucks. The primary objective is to validate the effectiveness of the Merging Support Information System by assessing whether the roadside unit can reliably transmit traffic data to merging vehicles. This initiative aligns with Japan’s broader “Digital Lifeline Development Plan,” a government-driven effort to enhance autonomous driving safety and establish a robust infrastructure for efficient transportation.
MHI Group has long been at the forefront of sensing and communication technology, having developed electronic toll collection (ETC) systems in Japan and abroad. The company previously participated in the Cooperative Vehicle/Infrastructure System Demonstration Experiment conducted by NEXCO Central in June 2024, testing similar technologies on an unused segment of the Shin-Tomei Expressway. Insights gained from that experiment have been instrumental in refining the Merging Support Information System for this latest trial.
As the adoption of CASE (Connected, Autonomous, Shared, and Electric) technologies continues to transform road transportation, MHI Group remains committed to pioneering advanced infrastructure solutions. By integrating sensor-based systems with vehicle-to-roadway communication networks, the company aims to enhance road safety, improve traffic efficiency, and support the development of next-generation mobility solutions that prioritize both automation and user convenience.
