Seeking to advance specific initiatives, in July of this year, the Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) established subcommittees within the framework of the Tateshina Meeting*1, which promotes discussions and the expansion of collaboration among participants with the goal of zero casualties in traffic accidents. The five subcommittees have started their activities with an initial focus on issues such as support for vulnerable road users like children and older adults, accidents involving bicycles and motorcycles, and accidents occurring overseas.

Since their establishment, the subcommittees have set a goal to accelerate, to the extent possible, the realization of achieving zero traffic accident casualties. To date, approximately 140 people from 35 companies have participated. Activities are being promoted in cooperation with the government, local authorities, and relevant organizations based on a three-pronged approach involving cars, people, and traffic infrastructure.

On December 15, 2023, a general meeting was held, bringing together participating members to review the progress of various activities and share insights between subcommittees. Additionally, opportunities to learn from external activities were created, such as inviting a speaker from the Okinawa Prefectural Police Headquarters, which is working on reducing traffic accidents involving ordinary vehicles and rental cars through collaboration agreements with TMF and partner companies*2. Continuous efforts will be made to explore various ways to promote subcommittee activities.

The current progress of the subcommittees is as follows. We plan to disclose updates on these activities as appropriate, starting with the Tateshina Meeting next summer.

Subcommittee Progress and Direction
Data utilization and visualization of dangerous locations
Outline

By integrating various data sets (from participating companies and organizations, cooperating residents, etc.), aim to improve the accuracy of identifying dangerous locations and utilize outcomes to facilitate more effective measures at the community level.

Progress
  • Commence the creation of a highly accurate risk assessment model by integrating data from vehicles, smartphones, accident information, infrastructure, and near-miss information from residents. A preliminary evaluation of the effectiveness of data integration is scheduled to be conducted in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, within the fiscal year.
  • In Miyawaka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, data utilization verification testing through collaboration with the local community is planned.
Participants
Subcommittee "Data utilization and visualization of dangerous locations" Participants
Safe driving support for the elderly
Outline

Aim to eliminate traffic fatalities caused by elderly drivers by maintaining and improving their driving skills and creating a mobility structure that does not rely on private cars while closely aligning with local community lifestyles.

Progress
  • The following themes have been set for the initiative. Going forward, regions will be selected, and verification testing tailored to the characteristics of each region will be conducted.
    • Create opportunities for people of all ages to reflect on their driving habits
    • Evolve driving diagnostic services and create user-friendly systems
    • Provide transportation options that do not rely on private cars and create mobility opportunities
Participants
Subcommittee "Safe driving support for the elderly" Participants
New awareness-raising activities for children
Outline

Develop and implement new methods for raising awareness (utilizing VR, AR, digital twin, etc.) that will enable children to develop the ability to detect/avoid danger without having to experience real-world risks.

Progress
  • Develop and deploy to local governments near-miss maps that share/visualize dangerous locations from the perspectives of children and their parents, and promote the development of VR in Toyota City (Hold educational and experiential exhibitions for children in Toyota City in conjunction with FORUM8 Rally Japan 2023*3).
  • A demonstration in collaboration with parents and schools to understand children's behavior in traffic environments is planned.
Participants
Subcommittee "New awareness-raising activities for children" Participants
Bicycles and motorbikes
Outline

Through public-private partnerships, establish a system that will facilitate communication between vehicles and bicycles, leading to zero traffic fatalities involving bicycles and motorbikes, and develop a new awareness-building method.

Progress
  • A demonstration utilizing connected technology to prevent accidents and improve compliance awareness and an understanding of rules and laws among cyclists is planned. (infrastructure-coordinated (ITS) and smartphone-integrated approaches)
  • Began to strengthen cooperation with the government, local governments, outside organizations, and others to verify the effectiveness of each technology and to disseminate rules regarding bicycles.
    →Aiming to propose and establish methods that encourage behavioral change in people for both the short and long term by integrating technology with conventional awareness campaigns.
Participants
Subcommittee "Bicycles and motorbikes" Participants
Overseas
Outline

Focusing on the Asian region, which has a high number of traffic casualties, examine and consider radical measures aimed at reducing casualties, and promote the sharing and expansion of good practices in Japan and overseas.

Progress
  • In Thailand, where accidents involving two-wheeled vehicles account for 80% of traffic accident casualties, initiatives through collaboration with relevant local agencies are under consideration.
  • In addition to the current participating members, collaboration with other companies that operate in Thailand is being explored.
    →Utilize data-driven efforts to understand the accident situation, develop countermeasures, and promote awareness campaigns.
Participants
Subcommittee "Overseas" Participants
*1 The Tateshina Meeting was first held in 2019 as a platform for sharing aspirations and promoting collaboration toward realizing zero traffic accident casualties. It is held during the Summer Festival at the Mount Tateshina Shoko-ji Temple, where top executives from the automobile and related industries gather annually to pray for traffic safety. At the meeting held in July 2023, subcommittees were also launched to further enhance the effectiveness of initiatives towards traffic safety and achieving zero traffic accident casualties.
Referencehttps://toyotatimes.jp/en/newscast/033.html
*2
"Pilot Initiatives for Reducing Traffic Accidents among Rental Car Users in Okinawa Prefecture"
Since December 2021, TMF, in collaboration with partner companies involved in the car rental business, has been conducting verification tests to support safe driving among rental car users. In February 2023, TMF concluded a collaboration agreement with the Okinawa Prefectural Police Headquarters and is currently promoting initiatives in collaboration with industry, academia, and government.
Reference 1https://toyotamobilityfoundation.org/en/press-room/release02062023/
Reference 2https://youtu.be/mpr5u9A48l8?si=_kwVTehcaQVNAKR3
*3
"Traffic Safety Plaza" (October 27 - December 24, 2023) (In Japanese)
The Tateshina Meeting Subcommittee for New Awareness-raising Activities for Children will hold a "Traffic Safety Plaza" for children on the occasion of the "FORUM8 Rally Japan 2023" in Toyota City. | Press Room | Toyota Mobility Foundation

Reference List of Tateshina Meeting Subcommittee Participants (in no particular order)

List of Tateshina Meeting Subcommittee Participants (in no particular order)

Since its founding, the Toyota Motor Corporation has conducted its business activities with the aim of creating a prosperous society through automobiles while respecting all stakeholders, including customers, business partners, employees, and the local communities in which it operates. Accordingly, TMF was established in August 2014 to conduct activities that benefit the public good.

Aiming to realize a mobility society in which everyone can move about freely, TMF is working to solve mobility issues around the world through a diverse range of projects. Going forward, the Toyota Group, working in cooperation with various partners and utilizing the technologies and knowhow it has cultivated through its business activities, will continue to promote undertakings that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while contributing to the realization of a society where people can lead rich and fulfilling lives.

Sustainable Development Goals

Toyota Motor Corporation works to develop and manufacture innovative, safe and high-quality products and services that create happiness by providing mobility for all. We believe that true achievement comes from supporting our customers, partners, employees, and the communities in which we operate. Since our founding over 80 years ago in 1937, we have applied our Guiding Principles in pursuit of a safer, greener and more inclusive society. Today, as we transform into a mobility company developing connected, automated, shared and electrified technologies, we also remain true to our Guiding Principles and many of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals to help realize an ever-better world, where everyone is free to move.

SDGs Initiatives
https://global.toyota/en/sustainability/sdgs/

SDGs goals that this project makes particular contribution to

  • GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
  • INDUSTRY, INNOVATION, AND INFRASTRUCTURE
  • SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES
  • PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS

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  • List of Tateshina Meeting Subcommittee Participants (in no particular order)
    List of Tateshina Meeting Subcommittee Participants (in no particular order)

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