Japan to Experiment with Self-Governing Commercial Vehicles on Auto-Pilot Freeways
The Japanese Ministry of Transport has announced plans to introduce "autoflow roads," dedicated highways for autonomous freight vehicles, between Tokyo and Osaka in the mid-2030s. These roads are expected to address a forecasted shortfall in transportation capacity by 2030, primarily due to a chronic shortage of truck drivers [1].
The Ministry will conduct feasibility tests of these autoflow roads from November 2025 to February 2026, using a test track to determine suitable road width and safety for autonomous freight vehicles [5]. The tests will also assess the performance of these vehicles at speeds similar to conventional trucks (70 to 80 km/h) [1].
Autoflow roads will be constructed on medians or underneath existing expressways and are designed to operate 24 hours a day [1]. The Ministry is yet to provide details about the capacity of the test track or the number of autonomous freight vehicles to be used in the test [1].
A test run of autonomous freight vehicles is also planned by fiscal 2027 on a section of the Shin-Tomei Expressway between Kanagawa and Shizuoka prefectures, which is not yet open to traffic [1][4].
The autoflow roads are expected to cover between 8% and 22% of the predicted capacity shortfall [2]. However, no new information has been provided about the expected coverage of these roads in addressing the shortfall or the forecasted transportation capacity for fiscal 2030 [1].
It's important to note that the Ministry has not yet revealed details about the construction of the autoflow roads, such as whether they will be built on medians or underneath expressways [1].
The testing and introduction of autoflow roads are responses to the forecasted transportation capacity shortfall. The initiative also aims to address the chronic shortage of truck drivers [1]. Transportation safety will be a key focus during the tests for autoflow roads [5].
In summary, the timeline for the introduction of autoflow roads is as follows: - Late 2025 to early 2026: feasibility testing on a dedicated test track - By 2027: autonomous freight vehicle tests on an unopened expressway section - Mid-2030s: planned construction and introduction of autoflow roads between Tokyo and Osaka [1][4][5].
[1] The Japan Times [2] Nikkei Asia [4] Asahi Shimbun [5] Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism of Japan (MLIT) website
- The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism of Japan (MLIT) aims to address the projected transportation capacity shortfall and the chronic shortage of truck drivers by 2030 through the integration of technology in the transportation industry, with the introduction of autoflow roads.
- In the financial aspect, the implementation of autoflow roads could potentially reduce costs related to transportation, thanks to autonomous freight vehicles, and also provide opportunities for the media industry to cover the progress and developments in this innovative transportation solution.
