Japan’s NEXCO East to phase out highway information terminals at rest areas, shift to smartphone checks

Japan’s East Nippon Expressway Company (NEXCO East) will gradually discontinue operation of the Highway Information Terminals that display and provide traffic updates such as congestion at rest facilities (service areas [SA] and parking areas [PA]) and will shift to having users check the information on their smartphones.

Since June, operation of the Highway Information Terminals has already been suspended at rest facilities in Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, Akita, Miyagi, Yamagata, and Fukushima prefectures. Starting in September, the terminals will be suspended across NEXCO East’s entire service area in eastern Japan.

NEXCO East is urging drivers to check road traffic information, congestion forecasts, planned construction restrictions, and the expected timing of lifting closures caused by accidents on their smartphones and other devices. QR codes directing users to the company’s website, Drive Traffic (DoraTora), will be posted at each SA and PA.