Kanazawa City in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, has developed an online trip-planning system for commuters living near the city, and made it available on its website on January 15, 2008. By typing in basic information such as home address, work address, and departure time, the system comes up with the best route and selection of commuting patterns, including park-and-ride facilities and bus routes. For those who want to walk, ride a bicycle, or use public transport, the system provides a comparison with car commuting in terms of cost saving and environmental impact.

For example, if a person's commuting distance by car is 15 kilometers, monthly parking cost is 12,000 yen (about U.S.$106), and an assigned parking area lot five to seven kilometers away from the city center is used, he or she could reduce total commuting cost by 3,400 yen to 4,800 yen (about $30 to $42) by taking advantage of the city's promotional offer. Also, the commuter could reduce environmental cost by the 700 yen (about $6) required to use chemical processes to deal with carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions generated by gasoline consumption.

The city started its park-and-ride program for commuters in 1996. Since then, the city has eagerly promoted it by offering privileges such as free parking at 11 dedicated parking lots in the suburbs and commuter passes for shuttles from the lots at a 40 percent discount. Additionally, users get 10 percent eco-points, which can be used for bus fare. The city estimates that this system can reduce CO2 emissions by about 40 percent.

http://www.mlit.go.jp/road/ITS/2002HBook/section2/2-22e.html
- Yamaha Motor Co. Employees Start Eco-Commuting (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/db/992-e
- Environmentally Sustainable Transport (EST) Efforts Spreading in Japan
http://www.japanfs.org/en/mailmagazine/newsletter/pages/027843.html

Posted: 2008/05/16 04:26:48 PM

TAG Energy , NGO/Citizen , Non-manufacturing industry , Transportation