The government has proposed a plan to create dedicated lanes exclusively for autonomous vehicles and delivery drones in Japan. This initiative aims to address labor shortages in logistics and the decreasing utilization of transportation networks in depopulated areas. The blueprint, presented during a meeting of the government's Council for the Realization of the Vision for a Digital Garden City Nation on March 31, outlines the intention to establish a designated lane along a section of the Shin-Tomei Expressway. This lane will span approximately 120 kilometers (74 Miles), stretching from the Surugawan-Numazu Service Area to the Hamamatsu Service Area, both located in Shizuoka Prefecture.   In the initial stages, self-driving trucks are anticipated to have access to this lane during a late-nighttime slot, possibly commencing in 2024. To ensure the safety of these vehicles, sensors and cameras will be installed along the shoulder of the road and in other strategic locations to ...