04 May 19, 2017 Miyaike President briefing

MC

Thank you for waiting. We will start the 124th regular meeting from now.

[Introduction]

President

Before I start the press conference, I would like to say a word.
About 162 km from Gotemba Junction (JCT) to Mikkabi JCT in shizuoka prefecture section of Shin-Tomei Expressway, Five years have passed since its opening on April 14, 2012.
In the meantime, we have received our sincere support for the use of Shin-Tomei Expressway by approximately 140 million units.
In addition, with the opening of the Shin-Tomei Expressway, stock effects have been continuously appearing, such as improving the efficiency of logistics by alleviating traffic congestion and contributing to the revitalization of the local economy by Large factory locations along the route.
We will continue to actively disclose the stock effects of Shin-Tomei Expressway to journalists, so we would like to ask for your continued cooperation.

[Business status (March 2017 and 2016)]

Please see Document 1.
Regarding operating conditions, toll revenue in March was 59,646 million yen, an increase of 3.3% from the same month of the previous year, and the number of traffic per day was 25,000 units, an increase of 1.8% from the same month of the previous year. .
In March, the use of Expressway, particularly Tomei Shin-Tomei Expressway and Ken-O Road, was favorable, resulting in an increase in both toll revenue and the number of traffic.

　　

Toll revenue in FY2016 was 664,994 million yen, an increase of 1.1% from the previous year, and the average number of traffic per day was 1,937,000 units, an increase of 1.4% from the previous year.
In FY2016, in addition to the network effects associated with the opening of the Shin-Tomei Expressway and Ken-O Road O Expressway, the use of large vehicles in particular was on an increasing trend in line with the moderate recovery trend of the economy. Usage was good. As a result, both toll revenue and the number of passing vehicles increased, reaching a record high.

Next, regarding the status of construction, please see the map and photos in Appendix 1. I would like to explain the construction overview for the sections scheduled to open in 2017.
About 2km from Tomei Ebina-minami JCT to Atsugiminami IC, road main works such as earthworks and bridge superstructure of Atsugiminami IC are currently underway. We are also preparing to develop pavement work, signage work, and equipment work such as information boards, and we plan to start these works from June.
Tokai-Kanjo Expressway Yoro About 3km from JCT to Yoro IC, part of the road main part was taken over from the joint venture Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Chubu Regional Development Bureau, and pavement construction and We have just started signing work and equipment work.
We will inform you about the opening time of each section once we have the prospect of completion.

Next is the status of the service area (SA) and parking area (PA).
Sales of SA/PA in March were 17,283 million yen, an increase of 8.1% from the same month of the previous year, and sales of the Food and Beverage/Sales division decreased by 2.0% from the same month of the previous year.
Sales of the food and beverage department increased 98.0% from the same month of the previous year due to the increase in sales due to special demand for opening of NEOPASA Okazaki/ Nagashino-Shitaragahara PA last year.
Sales in the gasoline segment increased 35.5% year-on-year, due to higher selling prices compared to last year and an increase in the sales volume of diesel oil.

In fiscal 2016, sales of SA/PA were ¥189,722 million, an increase of 3.0% year on year, and sales of the food and beverage sales division were up 0.9% year on year.
In fiscal 2016, there was a negative factor due to the absence of “Silver Week”, but due to the opening effects of NEOPASA Okazaki and Nagashino-Shitaragahara PA, sales in the food and beverage sales division were 100.9% of the previous year.
Sales in the gasoline division increased 8.4% year-on-year due to the opening of a gas station in NEOPASA Okazaki.

[Traffic measures]

Please see Document 2.
We would like to inform you about the possibility of starting operation of the temporary 8 lanes from Yokkaichi IC to Suzuka IC Higashi-Meihan Expressway (In-bound line).
Since November of last year, we have had discussions with related organizations and people in the areas along the line, and started construction from March this year.
Going forward, we will eagerly carry out full-scale construction work such as changing the pavement, including refreshing construction on the Higashi-Meihan Expressway, aiming for completion by the summer of this year.
By extending the provisional 3-lane operation section, it is expected that traffic congestion will be alleviated near the Yokkaichi IC, and punctuality and safety will be improved.
During the construction period, congestion is expected to occur temporarily, and we apologize for any inconvenience to our customers. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
Also, as other measures against traffic congestion, we will implement measures against traffic congestion near the Sagamiko IC Chuo Expressway (Out-bound line) from this year, in addition to the Tomei/Yamato district, Chuo Expressway /Kobutsu district, etc. that are currently being implemented.
In this section, an additional lane will be installed approximately 2km between the Sagamiko Bus Stop on the Chuo Expressway Expressway (Out-bound line) and the Sagamiko IC The 5th Chuo Expressway Congestion Bottleneck Study Working Group was held on October 18, last year. I proposed the traffic jam countermeasure (draft) and accepted it.
We are already in the process of conducting field surveys and coordination with related organizations.
In the future, we will proceed with local surveys and design, and aim to open the business as early as possible even one day.

[Congestion forecast during Golden Week]

Regarding the traffic jam forecast for the Golden Week period (Friday, April 28th to Sunday, May 7th), we announced it on March 29th, and have been taken up by many press members. Thank you very much. Please see Document 3-1.
So far, we have predicted traffic congestion during traffic congestion, and we have provided forecasts on our official website and the "Traffic Congestion Prediction Guide" distributed to everyone.
We have set up a traffic congestion forecasting professional at each Regional Head Office in Tokyo, Hachioji, Nagoya, and Kanazawa, and have created a system to disseminate information such as points to avoid congestion in each region in an easy-to-understand manner.
In addition, we named this professional traffic jam forecaster "Expressway Drive Advisor".
Today, to take this opportunity, Nagoya Regional Head Office "of the Expressway will introduce the drive Advisor".
I am the "Kawashima sub-leader" of the traffic engineering team of the Nagoya Regional Head Office.

I am Kawashima, the "Expressway Drive Advisor" of the Nagoya Regional Head Office. I would like to provide information that goes a step further than the traffic congestion predictions so far. Thank you.
Today, we are making a press announcement from the Nagoya Regional Head Office as a point to avoid congestion during Golden Week. Please see Document 3-2.
During this Golden Week, three days from May 3rd to 5th, Expressway the Tokai area are expected to be extremely congested. Therefore, it is recommended that you plan your outings for the next 3 days.
Please turn to page 2. For example, there is a 25km traffic jam expected on the May 3rd Higashi-Meihan Expressway (In-bound line). If you encounter this traffic jam, it will take about an hour longer than usual. If you avoid this traffic and go out on the 6th, you will be able to stay longer at your destination with the same departure or arrival times as the 3rd.
In this way, using the traffic jam prediction information will help you enjoy your trip with minimal stress from traffic jams, so please feel free to contact us after the conference.
If you would like to interview the "Expressway Drive Advisor" or appear on TV or radio, please contact the PR/CS team of each Regional Head Office.

By the way, although the topic is different from traffic congestion prediction, there is another announcement to everyone as a new initiative starting from this Golden Week.
As part of traffic safety measures during traffic congestion, NEXCO EAST, Central Japan, and West Japan cooperate to make a call to prevent reverse running.
Please see this poster and the leaflet that you have distributed.
With the unified logo mark "Let's lose, run backwards", we will roll out nationwide from this Golden Week period.
In addition, by utilizing TV/radio and newspaper advertisements, we will call out to everyone in the press about the dangers of reverse running and how to prevent it, using the catch phrase "Do not run backwards, do not let it happen, do not make an accident". Thank you for your continued cooperation such as "alert".

[Development of tunnel inspection technology using high-speed image processing]

Please see Document 4. This is a topic related to technology development.
I would like to report on the progress that has been made regarding the "in-tunnel inspection technology using high-speed image processing" that was introduced at the regular conference last December.
Regarding the crack width of concrete to be detected, we reported that it was 0.5 mm last year, but it is now possible to detect up to 0.2 mm, which was the goal of technological development.
If a crack width of 0.2 mm is detected, it is necessary to continuously monitor the tunnel structure to be inspected, so this is the target value.
The feature of this technology is that it can be mounted on the roof of an ordinary car because the image capturing device is small, and it can detect while driving at 100 km/h.
At present, inspections inside the tunnel are subject to traffic restrictions, and close-up visual inspection is performed using aerial work vehicles. By grasping highly accurate information in advance using such technology before inspection, it becomes possible to focus on the inspection of the deformation without overlooking the deformation, contributing to improved reliability and efficiency of the inspection. I think.
We plan to verify that it can be used in place of close-up visual inspection in the future.
Up to now, shooting was done under traffic regulations, but from now on, we will shoot without traffic regulation, aim to put it into practical use in fiscal 2018 by grasping operational issues and verifying shooting accuracy.
Please see the actual driving images available today.
Similar images are also available in English on the website of the University of Tokyo, where we are conducting joint research.
In light of changes in the social environment, where the working population is expected to decline due to the declining birthrate and aging population, the Group will continue to develop technology for improving the efficiency and efficiency of inspections of tunnels and bridges using ICT technology.

[Overview of construction planned for this year]

Since this is the beginning of the fiscal year, I would like to explain the outline of the construction planned for this year.
Please see Document 5. As we have already announced, we will inform you of the schedule of intensive construction to be carried out this spring.
First, regarding the Meishin intensive construction, we will carry out construction from Meishin/Suita IC to Tomei/ Kasugai IC for 10 days from Monday, May 15 to Saturday, May 27.
Chuo Expressway intensive construction will be done between Hachioji IC and Takaido IC for 10 days from Monday, May 15 to Friday, May 26.
Chuo Expressway Expressway, renewal work will be carried out between Okaya JCT and Ihoku IC for 47 days from May 29 (Mon) to July 14 (Fri).
Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka-Mei-Nikan Expressway refresh construction, 10 days from May 29 (Monday) to June 10 (Saturday), Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka-Mei-Nikan Expressway of Nagoya IC from Kameyama IC do the work in between.
In addition to traffic restrictions during the construction period, each line will also be closed at night and ramps, so please check the latest traffic information when you go out.
Congestion is expected to occur during the construction period, and we apologize for the inconvenience to our customers. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
At the same time, we are currently coordinating with related organizations in the direction of implementing the Tomei intensive construction that is being carried out every autumn.
We are also planning a fall renovation work with large-scale regulations. We will announce as soon as a specific schedule is decided.

These are the topics we have prepared today.

MC

Now, let's receive your questions.

Reporter

In the construction situation in Appendix 1, “Current Status of Business,” please tell us specifically when the prospect of opening the Yoro JCT to Yoro IC Tokai-Kanjo Expressway, which is scheduled to open in 2017.

President

In the fall Yoro that era festival will be held we are aware, but Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism because I just received a part delivery of the road body portion from, if you have standing is the completion of the outlook, and again let us know. We will proceed with the construction with the aim of opening it as soon as possible.

Reporter

According to the Traffic Congestion Prediction Guide, I think it will be the same as usual, but the impression is that the traffic congestion near the Suzuka IC Higashi-Meihan Expressway is the worst in the whole country on any date. What is the actual situation?

President

There are various indicators. For example, there is a traffic jam ranking announced by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, so the department in charge will explain it.

Employee

There is ranking data of traffic situation of 2016 announced by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in March 2017. The index is traffic congestion loss time, and the top 30 IC sections are listed by vertical line, with the IC section as one unit. For Higashi-Meihan Expressway, 4 sections are in the 30th place. The time with the most traffic jam loss was 7th on the In-bound line between Kameyama JCT and Suzuka IC. The line Out-bound between Yokkaichi IC and Suzuka IC ranked 11th. The same section, In-bound line between Suzuka IC and Yokkaichi IC ranked 20th. It is further west from Kameyama JCT, but In-bound line between Kameyama Smart IC and Kameyama JCT is 27th. These four sections are in the top 30. For reference, the No. 1 nationwide line is the In-bound line between the Tomei Ebina JCT and YokohamaMachida IC, which is also in our jurisdiction. For details, visit the homepage of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and see the table.

Reporter

Regarding the actual results for fiscal 2016 in Document 1, are both the toll revenue and the number of passing vehicles probably the highest ever with the opening?

President

It is the highest ever.

Reporter

It has been announced that foreigners visiting Japan have set a new record high. At the previous interview, it was said that many people use the Expressway mainly in Hong Kong. How was the use of foreign tourists in 2016?

President

There is a Expressway unlimited pass for foreign visitors to Japan, "CEP (Central Nippon Expressway Pass)", so the department in charge will explain the usage situation.

Employee

Regarding the sales results of "CEP" that we sell to foreigners visiting Japan, about 240 cases per month in FY2015 and February 2016 in FY2016, but about 420 cases per month. It is almost doubled.

Reporter

Do you have any data on how many items were sold each year and what percentage increase from the previous year?

Employee

Approximately 2,840 cases were recorded in FY2015, and about 4,700 cases were collected in FY2016. If the average number of cases in March was about 420, the number will be about 5,100 in FY2016.

Reporter

It means that the number has almost doubled.

Reporter

Regarding the relationship between JR Tokai's Linear Chuo Shinkansen, I think that you have signed a site acquisition consulting contract in Kasugai City, Gifu Prefecture, Nagano Prefecture, but how the current cooperation relationship is going please teach me.

President

We are a consultant for land acquisition. Since it is proceeding smoothly as originally planned, I think it may be useful for JR Tokai.

Reporter

Please tell me about one point regarding the provisional three-lane transition of the Higashi-Meihan Expressway In-bound Line. It is said that 8km will be completed around this summer. Is it OK to think that the operation will start around summer?

President

By the end of this summer, we would like to start the operation of the provisional 3-lane.

Reporter

Regarding the SA/PA situation in Document 1, it has been a long time since Toki 's terrace gate opened, but is that sales included in this figure?

President

Not included

Reporter

How do you feel about your achievements?

President

We expect to some extent.

Employee

In the two years since its opening, approximately 3 million customers have visited. In fiscal 2016, the situation is that we are going in a positive direction.

President

The number of 3 million people is the total number of users of all facilities such as supermarkets and hot spring facilities.

MC

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

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