熟練オペレータの高齢化、労働人口減少による担い手不足、建設業2024問題に対応

Regarding the start of operation of rotary snowplow automation using quasi-zenith satellites

~From this winter, operation will begin on Hokkaido's Expressway between Iwamizawa IC and Bibai IC~

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ASNOS logo image 1

October 25, 2020
East Nippon Expressway Co., Ltd.

NEXCO EAST (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) has completed the technological development of "rotary snowplow automation using the quasi-zenith satellite system," and will begin operating it between Iwamizawa IC and Bibai IC on Hokkaido's Hokkaido E5 from this winter. .
Securing the necessary workers is an urgent issue in response to the aging of skilled operators who operate snowplows, the decreasing workforce, and the construction industry's 2024 problem. Additionally, due to snowfall and blizzard conditions, there were technical issues such as the inability to determine the outside lines of the road, the location of guardrails, etc., and the inability to determine the location of one's own vehicle.
Our company aims to improve the efficiency and labor efficiency of snow removal work by "improving snow and ice countermeasures".ASNOS logo image 2)" and has developed automation technology for rotary snowplows, with the aim of reducing the number of occupants in snowplows (from two to one) without requiring skilled snowplow operating skills or experience. Did.
Accurate position information based on our ``Driving Support System (Guidance Monitor) Utilizing Quasi-Zenith Satellites'' developed by our company is linked to the operation control device of the rotary snowplow to automate the driving and operation of the snowplow. . Operators will be able to accurately drive and clear snow without touching the steering wheel or levers, improving the safety and efficiency of snow clearing on Expressway during the winter.
For the time being, the automatic rotary snowplow will have two people on board, and the number of passengers will be verified depending on weather and traffic conditions.

An image of the overview of “Automation of rotary snowplows”
Overview of “Automation of rotary snowplows”
Photo of main line running test
Main line running test
Image of an overview of automatic operation of snow removal equipment
Snow removal equipment autopilot overview

Supplement 1

 Two automatic rotary snowplows equipped with this technology will begin operation between Iwamizawa IC and Bibai IC on the E5 Hokkaido Expressway.

岩見沢IC~美唄IC間にて本技術搭載の自動ロータリ除雪車2台で運用開始のイメージ画像

Supplement 2

Development process of rotary snowplow automation

year progress
2017(平成29) Developed a driving support system (guidance monitor) using quasi-zenith satellites
2019 (Reiwa 1) Started joint research and development of rotary snowplow automation
2020 (Reiwa 2) Autonomous driving technology confirmed at Doto Expressway Yubari IC test field
2021 (Reiwa 3) Verifying autonomous driving and automation of snow removal equipment operation on main Expressway
2023 (Reiwa 5) Completed automation of rotary snowplow and started operation.

NEXCO EAST has named the advanced snow and ice countermeasure system for Expressway "ASNOS *"and is proceeding with its development.

ASNOS logo image image 3
  • Advanced / Autonomous​ ​Snow and ice control Operation​ ​System.

NEXCO EAST Group positions the period from 2021 to 2025 as "a period in which we will contribute to achieving the SDGs and transform towards a new future society," and we are undertaking various initiatives.
This initiative to automate rotary snowplows will contribute to SDGs 8, 9, and 13 as a business activity that will lead to the provision of safe, secure, and reliable Expressway through technological improvements and innovation. That's what I think.

Images of the SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS logo and the logos for SDGs goals 8, 9, and 13
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