Dedication to Eliminating Road Accidents: Safety Education Genba Outlines Plans for Zero Traffic Fatalities
Toyota's "mobilitas" Promotes Safer and More Enjoyable Driving
The Toyota Safety Education Center "mobilitas," located alongside the Fuji Speedway racetrack, is a testament to Toyota's commitment to promoting safer driving and reducing traffic accidents.
Launched in 2021, the center offers a unique driving experience, featuring a 100,000 m flat course, 35-degree banks, and a slick low-friction road. It's designed to help drivers improve their skills and understand their driving behaviors more concretely.
The idea behind "mobilitas" is to measure and visualize driving performance with the help of advanced measuring instruments. This approach allows drivers to quantify aspects of their driving, such as speed, braking, and steering patterns, making driving performance visible and tangible.
This method aligns with Toyota's long-standing commitment to road safety education, particularly for children and senior citizens. The goal is to create a society with zero traffic casualties.
The Advanced Technical Skills Institute Division played a significant role in translating this approach into specific course content. Instructors compare their own driving data with that of participants, explaining how to safely bring out the car's performance.
The Driving Data Measurement Program at "mobilitas" measures and graphs the G-forces exerted during turns, acceleration, and braking. This data provides participants with instruction based on their quantified driving performance.
The Tateshina Meeting held in July 2022 provided a new direction for educating people about car safety. At "mobilitas," participants can safely experience driving, steering, and braking cars under conditions not found on ordinary roads, learning how to avoid hazards.
The course emphasizes Toyota's "fun to drive" ethos, but finding the balance between safety and fun took guidance from Morizo. Nunogaki, the driving instructor at "mobilitas," adopted a teaching approach that ties safety, fun, and eco-friendliness together.
Nunogaki believes that firsthand experience is crucial for developing a genuine safety mentality. He gives examples of demo runs at motorsport events, where drivers draw a mental line to ensure safety while maintaining excitement and eco-friendliness.
Participants have reported that the course helps them understand their mistakes and have more fun driving on regular roads. The center's popularity is evident, with reservations filling up within two or three days.
Toyota is focusing on awareness-raising activities for drivers and pedestrians as part of a three-pronged approach to eliminating traffic casualties. The educational genba that has been publishing traffic safety picture books since 1969 is another focus of Toyota's efforts to improve road safety.
In conclusion, "mobilitas" is a significant step forward in Toyota's long-term commitment to road safety education. By measuring and visualizing driving performance, the center educates drivers about their behavior, improving road safety awareness and leading to safer driving habits over time.
The integration of advanced technology in "mobilitas" enables the visualization of driving performance, combining elements from the automotive, finance, and technology industries to provide a comprehensive driving experience. By quantifying speed, braking, and steering patterns, the center encourages an industry-wide shift towards safer driving practices, aligning with Toyota's ambition for zero traffic casualties.
The expertise from Toyota's Advanced Technical Skills Institute Division, along with Morizo's guidance, ensures that the course balances safety, fun, and eco-friendliness, demonstrating a harmonious fusion of the transportation sector with Toyota's renowned focus on sustainability and enjoyment.
