Computer-controlled minicar system in Expo'70: An experiment in a new personal urban transportation system

A new concept of urban transportation in which vehicles are operated on a computer-guided road network is presently being evolved. Such a system, in miniature, was demonstrated at the Automobile Pavilion at Expo'70, which was held in Japan. The "traffic game" is played on a 25-by 25-m chessboard-like field where visitors can drive two-passenger cars. The cars are individually controlled by a computer in the control center, in contrast to conventional traffic systems. The control system guides the cars to their destination, prevents accidents, and controls cars in emergencies. It fullfils the functions which are important in a future urban traffic-control system. The system gives passengers driving freedom to preserve driving pleasure. The system successfully demonstrated the advantages of an individually controlled vehicle system for future urban traffic to many visitors to the Expo. In designing this traffic game system, there were discussions on a number of problems which are likely to arise during its implementation on a large scale.