09 May 28, 2016 Miyaike President briefing

[Moderator]

Thank you for waiting. From now on, I will start the 117th regular conference.

[President]

Before we start the interview, let me say a few words.

On September 23, "Traffic conditions of Shin-Meishin Expressway and Tokai-Kanjo Expressway (Yokkaichi Junction (JCT)-Toin Interchange (IC)) opened on August 11th" And, we announced two cases about "to return the temporary 3 lanes from Tomei Expwy OtowaGamagoori IC to Toyota JCT to 2 lanes".
First of all, regarding the traffic condition of Shin-Meishin Expressway / Tokai-Kanjo Expressway, it was used by an average of about 3,700 customers per day including the conversion of traffic from general roads within one month after opening. I am.
With the opening of this line, it is decided that companies will successively expand into the areas along the railway line, and the time required from the industrial area in Inabe city to the port of Nagoya / Yokkaichi will be reduced by about 19 minutes, etc. The effect is just beginning to appear.
Next, due to the opening of Shin-Tomei Expressway HamamatsuInasa JCT to Toyota-higashi JCT in February of this year, a double network with the Tomei was formed and the traffic was dispersed. Has hardly occurred, and a great effect has appeared.
Based on the traffic opening effect of Shin-Tomei Expressway, we will carry out from September 26th (Monday) to October 7th (Friday) at "Tomei Intensive Construction", which will be provisionally set as 3 lanes as a measure against traffic congestion in Okazaki I decided to change the number of existing lanes back to 2 lanes.
Until now, the narrow lane width and the speed limit of 60 km/h caused inconvenience to customers, but after returning to two lanes, the original function of Expressway will be secured, so it is safe. We believe that you will be able to drive with peace of mind and comfort.
Please note that traffic congestion is expected during the Tomei intensive construction period, so please consider using a route such as Chuo Expressway. We apologize for any inconvenience caused to customers using Expressway and those in the surrounding area. We would appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

[Business status (July/August 2016)]

Next, I would like to explain today's topics.
Please see Document 1.
Regarding operating conditions, toll revenue in July was 57,271 million yen, an increase of 2.1% from the same month of the previous year, and the number of traffic per day was 1.99 million units, an increase of 2.8% from the same month of the previous year.
Toll revenue in August was 66,704 million yen, an increase of 1.3% from the same month of the previous year, and the number of traffic per day was 212,400 units, an increase of 1.2% from the same month of the previous year.
The increase factors in July and August include the effect of opening Shin-Tomei Expressway, the effect of Ken-O Road maintenance in the Tokyo metropolitan area, and the effect of the new Expressway charge introduced in April. The reason is that the use of Expressway was favorable.
For July, the growth rate for this year is slightly higher due to the impact of Typhoon No. 11 last year.

Next is the situation of construction.
I would like to explain the construction overview for the sections scheduled to open in FY2016.
Please see Document 1 handed out. Shin-Meishin Expressway and Tokai-Kanjo Expressway Yokkaichi from JCT Toin IC about 6km between is as I explained earlier.
About 9km between the Chubu Odan Expressway Rokugo IC and the Masuho IC, the road main works such as earthwork, bridges and tunnels have been almost completed, and pavement work and equipment work are underway.

Next is the status of the service area (SA).
The total number of service areas/parking areas (PA) remains unchanged at 180 locations as there are no new openings in July and August.
SA/PA sales in July were ¥16,073 million, an increase of 4.5% from the same month of the previous year, and sales of the Food and Beverage/Sales division increased by 7.7% from the same month of the previous year.
The main factors of increase are the increase in revenue due to the opening and closing of NEOPASA Okazaki and Nagashino-Shitaragahara PA In-bound and Out-bound, and the impact of the typhoon that occurred in the previous year.
Sales of SA/PA in August were ¥22,323 million, an increase of 1.0% from the same month of the previous year, and sales of the Food and Beverage/Sales division increased by 1.9% from the same month of the previous year.
The main Toshimashite increase factor, EXPASA Ebina In-bound and it was a strong performance is special events such as the "taste of Kanagawa Kamakura, Shonan" has been held in line, NEOPASA Okazaki Metropolitan Nagashino-Shitaragahara PA In-bound-Out-bound include the revenue growth due to the opening of business It is possible.

Then, Expressway Renewal Project is the situation of.
At a regular press conference in June, but is already been published regarding renovation work carried out in the autumn this year, so this time, was decided on-site publication date intended for our journalists, it will be announced.
Specifically, please refer to Appendix 2.
Hokuriku Expressway Namerikawa IC from Uozu IC 9 May 29 in Hayatsukigawa bridge between the (tree), Hokuriku Expressway Imajo IC from Takefu IC 10 May 17 in Hino bridge between the (month), Chuo Expressway SuwaMinami IC from Suwa IC between I would like to publish the site to Kobayakawa bridge in October 22 (Sat). Etc. You can see how any of the site also replacement of aging deck construction.
If you would like to participate, please contact the Public Relations Office.

[Site guidance on the verification test of "Structure inspection using drone"]

Please see Document 3.
Next is a topic on technology development.
As part of efforts to contribute to improving safety, the Group is developing technology aiming at “advanced inspection and efficiency improvement”.
Among them, we will guide you to the site where we are conducting a demonstration experiment on "structure inspection using drone", which is currently under development, targeting everyone in the press.
As stated in the handouts, the date and time of the experiment will be Wednesday, October 19 from 13:00 to 15:30, and the location will be the Shin-Tomei Expressway Miyagashima Viaduct in Kakegawa City. In case of rain and strong wind, it will be held on Friday, October 21, which is a preliminary day. Please see the handouts for details such as the process.
What you will see at the site this time is not a "wireless" that is generally common, but a "wired" inspection device that can be inspected even in an environment where GPS does not reach like the bottom surface of the floor of the bridge Since there is no break, it is possible to fly for a long time, and because the lower surface of the bridge can be continuously inspected, it is expected that more efficient inspection can be expected.
In the future, we aim to efficiently inspect structures that are difficult for inspectors to approach by accumulating verification data by repeating these verification tests.

[Holds the first joint event with the Ground Self-Defense Force to raise awareness of disaster prevention]

Please see Document 4.
The first joint event of the Ground Self-Defense Force, Shin-Tomei Expressway Hamamatsu SA Out-bound will be held on November 19 (Saturday) and 20 (Sunday).
Expressway SA/PA is used as a base for advancement when a large-scale support unit such as the National Police Agency or the Fire Department moves toward the disaster area in the event of a large-scale disaster such as an earthquake.
This event will be held in conjunction with the Ground Self-Defense Force, which is engaged in relief activities in various parts of Japan as a wide-area support unit, in order to improve customers' knowledge and awareness of disaster prevention.
At this event, the Ground Self-Defense Forces helicopter used for lifesaving etc. will be exhibited on the ground, the curry cooked with the outdoor cooker No. 1 used to support the lives of the victims will be used, and the personnel will be transported. We will experience high-mobility vehicles and board the NEXCO CENTRAL disaster prevention headquarters vehicles that will be used as frontline bases at disaster sites.
In addition, at the venue, events will be held at the same time where you can enjoy selling goods for the Self-Defense Forces and cafes based on the concept of military (military uniform design).
This event aims to raise awareness of disaster prevention. Please join us.

[Sale of new drive travel products in collaboration with NEXCO CENTRAL and JAF]

Please see Document 5.
The autumn holiday season will soon begin.
Introducing "new drive travel products in collaboration with JAF" that can be used on Expressway at reasonable prices.
As shown in Document 5, for travelers traveling with pets, a travel product "Together with Pets", which is a set of a drive plan that allows unlimited rides on the Expressway and accommodation for staying with pets. Minami Shinshu Tour ＜ Kiyosato / Kobuchizawa / Azumino＞ "Drive 2 days" will be on sale from September 28th.
This time, the first project in collaboration with JAF, "With pets! With the theme of "", we have prepared accommodations where you can stay with pets.

In addition, with the cooperation of Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture, which has a tourism agreement with JAF, we will also present a participant questionnaire.
It will be available from Tuesday, October 11th.
By all means, in the autumn sightseeing season, in addition to the new travel products introduced this time, we would like you to use the already-profitable drive plan and enjoy a fun trip with your family and friends. I will.

These are the topics we have prepared today.

[Moderator]

Now, let's receive your questions.

[Reporter]

It has been decided that the 2026 Asian Games (Asia Games) will be held in Aichi/Nagoya, but if you have any thoughts about what you have to do or what you need to request from the country, please let us know. Please give me.

[President]

Since the Asian Games will be held a long time ago, the road maintenance under the project is almost completed. We will respond to any new needs.

[Reporter]

The Aichi Prefectural Roads Corporation's concession-based sales will start next month. If you have any questions regarding this, or if you have any questions, please let us know.

[President]

Most of the highways we manage and the Expressway of the prefecture public corporation are connected. With the new start of concession-based sales, I think it is of utmost importance to respond to customer inconvenience as before.

[Reporter]

Regarding the drone, please tell us how you used to check under the bridge.

[President]

We have conducted visual inspections in various ways, such as using scaffolding and using inspection vehicles that have arms that look down from the top of the bridge. In the future, I think that there are various ways to use, such as attaching a camera to a drone and observing it with a camera, or attaching inspection equipment and materials to a drone in the future to make a tapping sound check.

[Reporter]

Please tell us whether the drone used this time is a newly introduced one or an existing one.

[President]

Wired drone was newly developed by combining existing products within NEXCO CENTRAL Group. I would like to continue to carry out proof experiments to promote development not only on the hardware side but also on the software side.

[Reporter]

Regarding the Tomei/Okazaki area conversion to two lanes, it has been more than half a year since the opening of the new Tomei Shin-Tomei Expressway February. Please tell me if it was as planned.

[President]

After discussions with the police and other related organizations, we decided to end 3-lane operation and return to 2-lane. It was also confirmed that even in August, when traffic was congested, traffic was dispersed and heavy traffic congestion did not occur. In addition, since the provisional 3 lanes have narrow lane widths and narrow shoulders, by returning to the original shape, the speed limit can be increased from 60km/h to 100km/h and the shoulders can be secured. It will be possible.

[Reporter]

Regarding the drone, please tell us when and when you will carry out the proof-of-concept tests and when you aim for commercialization.

[Employees]

About two years ago, we started a demonstration experiment including device manufacturing. In the future, we will continue to verify the verification tests and aim for practical application while confirming accuracy and efficiency. Although I cannot say when it will be put to practical use, I would like to consider whether accuracy and efficiency can complement visual inspection.

[Reporter]

Was it two years ago when the drone construction started?

[Employees]

It is the time when the proof experiment started. The drone and camera itself are commercially available. We have built a system like this by studying the operability of combining commercially available products, how it can fly, and usability when inspecting, and have now conducted a demonstration test.

[Reporter]

Regarding the provisional 3 lanes, I think that there are various knowledge obtained by actually operating between OtowaGamagoori IC and Toyota JCT, for example, between Suzuka IC Higashi-Meihan Expressway Expressway and Kameyama IC and Meishin Please let us know if you have any ideas for applying it to areas around Ichinomiya where there is chronic congestion.

[President]

Higashi-Meihan Expressway is already operating with some provisional 3 lanes, but not all are done. As a result, traffic jams occur, causing trouble to our customers. We are working hard to reduce the traffic congestion, but there are some structures such as bridges where the width of three lanes cannot be secured, so we are operating with two lanes. On the other hand, Shin-Meishin Expressway, which is parallel to Higashi-Meihan Expressway, is scheduled to open in fiscal 2018, and once it opens, Higashi-Meihan Expressway will significantly reduce traffic congestion. At present, there are no plans for provisional three lanes on other sections.

[Reporter]

I have a question regarding drones, but I was told that you are developing a combination of commercially available kits for the main body and camera earlier, but in the case of Chubu there are many drone manufacturers, but the idea of partnering with manufacturers Please tell me if there is.

[Employees]

As we will inform you on our website, we are looking for technical proposals with three themes. In addition to drones, we will strengthen cooperation with universities and companies, such as technologies that will lead to more sophisticated and efficient inspections and technologies that will help reduce life cycle costs and ensure quality in Expressway Renewal Project, and actively use existing technologies We are recruiting for effective utilization.

[Reporter]

Is there any company that you are applying for?

[Employees]

We started recruiting on the website in April, and we have received applications from more than a dozen companies so far, and we are currently talking about something we can do with two or three companies.

[Reporter]

Would that dozens of companies include things other than drone inspections?

[Employees]

There are more than a dozen companies, including inspection, renewal work, and ICT.

[Reporter]

Isn't it concrete yet?

[Employees]

Although we have not reached a specific joint research project, we will continue to study it in detail.

[Moderator]

It seems that your question has been interrupted, so this is the end of your regular meeting.