Japanese freeway to get self-driving lane from 2024 – report

Semi-autonomous trucks will soon have their own 100km stretch of road in Japan, in a new trial being proposed on one of the country’s busiest expressways.

Vehicles with advanced semi-autonomous driving technology will soon have their own lane on a Japanese expressway.

A 100-kilometre section of the Shin-Tomei Expressway between Tokyo and Nagoya will have a lane dedicated to “self-driving trucks”, news outlet Nikkei Asia reports, with sensors and cameras to monitor road conditions.

The lane will also employ 5G technology so the road conditions can be communicated to the trucks, as well as alerting them in advance to any hazards such as objects on the road, or accidents.

Full details of the 100km lane haven’t been announced, and it’s understood a decision hasn’t been made on whether all vehicles will be allowed to operate along that section or if it will be exclusively reserved for the semi-autonomous trucks.

Australian roads have hosted similar trials in recent months.

MORE: Cars that talk to trams and traffic lights begin trial on Australian streets

In November 2022, tollway operator Transurban announced it would be trialling a truck with semi-autonomous driving technology along the Monash Freeway and CityLink in Melbourne.

In September 2022, the Australian Army announced it was developing a ‘leader-follower’ technology that would allow a single driver to lead a convoy of trucks.

In May 2022, Drive exclusively reported on autonomous driving tech being tested in Australia by Mercedes-Benz.

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