Delivered on August 10, 2026
Driving data from 180,000 commercial vehicles is transforming logistics, roads, and disaster response.
Speakers:
Junji Tanaka, Marketing Team Leader, Instrumentation Systems Division, Instrumentation Systems Planning and Management Department, and Product/Service Planning Department, Yazaki Energy System Corporation
Affiliation and position information is as of the time of distribution
We welcomed Mr. Tanaka from Yazaki Energy Systems to discuss the potential of commercial vehicle probe data acquired from digital tachographs. In addition to speed, position, and distance, the data includes information on braking, turn signals, and acceleration, expanding to cover approximately 180,000 vehicles. We introduced a variety of application examples, such as road improvement, traffic volume surveys, analysis of traffic conditions during disasters, addressing waiting times and lack of rest areas at logistics sites, and predicting the development and replacement of vehicle parts. Furthermore, he spoke about future prospects, including a new in-vehicle unit that reduces communication frequency from 10 minutes to 5 minutes, tourist route analysis using taxi data, and expansion of vehicle attribute information.
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Organizational Integration of Yazaki Energy Systems and Evolution of its Mobility Business
In June 2026, the Yazaki Group integrated its mobility-related business divisions into Yazaki Energy Systems Corporation. The aim is to improve management efficiency and accelerate business growth by consolidating previously dispersed management resources.
The newly established "Instrumentation Systems Division" is responsible for the development and sales of taxi meters, which boast the top market share in Japan, and tachographs, which are essential for the operation management of commercial vehicles. The "Commercial Vehicle Probe Data" provided by the company is a vast amount of driving data collected through connected digital tachographs (digital tachographs), and is a valuable asset supporting modern mobility society. Previously, driving records were recorded on circular paper (chart paper), but now, with the advancement of digitalization and communication, it is possible to acquire detailed vehicle behavior in addition to the three legally mandated elements of speed, time, and distance. Commercial vehicles are legally required to be equipped with driving records, and this data is extremely reliable, used as evidence in the event of an accident and as material for administrative audits.
The Overwhelmingly Detailed Information of Big Data from 18,000 Commercial Vehicles
The data handled by Yazaki Energy Systems is unparalleled in its scale and detail.
In addition to the data from the approximately 160,000 vehicles currently in operation, the data from the new in-vehicle devices to be introduced in the fall of 2024 will be integrated, expanding the base number to approximately 180,000 vehicles. The acquired information is diverse, including GPS-based location, altitude, direction, and speed, as well as engine speed, acceleration, and even angular velocity using gyro sensors. The latest devices with drive recorder functionality can also acquire data from image analysis, precisely visualizing the vehicle's current state. This overwhelming amount of data makes it possible to comprehensively understand the movement of commercial vehicles that support Japan's logistics, and its use is expected in many areas.
Visualization of Road Infrastructure Improvement and Traffic Performance During Disasters
Commercial vehicle probe data significantly contributes to improving social safety, such as optimizing public infrastructure and disaster response.
In the field of road improvement, by comparing and analyzing data on behavior before and after accident prevention measures are implemented, it is possible to objectively evaluate the effectiveness of improvements at intersections and dangerous areas. In traffic volume surveys, the data can accurately capture the traffic history of large vehicles in particular, supporting the formulation of efficient road maintenance plans based on priorities. In disaster situations, commercial vehicles, due to their mission of "delivering goods," often continue to operate even in heavy rain and snow when general vehicles refrain from driving, making this data extremely valuable traffic data. Because it is possible to determine whether roads are actually passable in near real-time, it is used in the formulation of relief routes and decision-making regarding the transportation of goods during disasters.
Countermeasures against the 2024 Logistics Problem and Resolution of On-Site Bottlenecks
Data-based approaches are also yielding results in addressing the "2024 problem," a major challenge in the logistics industry, and in promoting logistics efficiency.
By accurately understanding when, where, and to what extent delays occur at shipper bases regarding "waiting time for loading and unloading," we are able to use this information to implement improvement measures such as the introduction of berth reservation systems. Regarding the shortage of parking spaces for large vehicles at highway service areas and parking areas, we identify the times and locations where these spaces become full, providing evidence to address the lack of rest areas. Based on the actual resting conditions derived from the data, an increasing number of businesses are considering leveling out logistics through staggered work hours and optimizing operating routes. This aims to simultaneously solve the seemingly contradictory challenges of improving drivers' working conditions and reducing logistics costs.
Efficiency Improvement of Product Development and Maintenance for Parts Manufacturers
Commercial vehicle data is bringing new value not only to finished vehicle manufacturers but also to manufacturers of the individual parts that make up the vehicles.
Truck and bus parts manufacturers previously lacked detailed "field data" on how their products are actually used and worn in the field. By utilizing Yazaki's data, they can gain a detailed understanding of the frequency of use of brakes and turn signals, the loads applied, etc., which helps improve product durability and optimize design. By inferring wear conditions from driving data, they can propose parts replacement at the optimal timing, significantly contributing to reducing downtime due to vehicle breakdowns. This is a win-win solution for transportation companies, as it leads to cost reduction through planned maintenance and ensures safety.
Improved Communication Frequency and Tourism Route Analysis Using Taxi Data
Hardware advancements are increasing the real-time nature of data and creating a new market for the utilization of taxi data.
The new in-vehicle devices have shortened the communication frequency from 10-minute intervals to 5 minutes, enabling the acquisition of more detailed "where we are now" information. This 5-minute interval data significantly improves the accuracy of estimated arrival times, enabling meticulous process management in logistics. In the taxi sector, the introduction of new meters compatible with LTE communication makes it easier to analyze pick-up and drop-off locations and travel routes. By analyzing taxi routes as secondary transportation from stations, it is possible to visualize the routes tourists are taking and reflect this in the tourism strategies of local governments and commercial facilities.
Summary
Yazaki Energy Systems' commercial vehicle probe data, backed by an overwhelming scale of 180,000 vehicles and high accuracy, is evolving into a crucial foundation supporting Japan's social infrastructure. From improving road safety and disaster response to addressing the 2024 logistics problem and even driving technological innovation in parts manufacturers, the scope of its applications far extends beyond mere operational management.
Going forward, plans are underway to further enhance the value of the data by combining driving data with attribute information such as "vehicle type and size." The aim is to fully implement the use of this attribute information next fiscal year, providing deeper insights. By combining the reliability of in-vehicle devices cultivated over many years with the latest data analysis technology, the company will continue to lead the way in solving the challenges of the mobility society.