Whereas speed cameras are plenty in Japan, the use of red light cameras has yet to catch on in the land of the rising sun. Instead of viewing red lights as revenue sources, Japan (which certainly could use the funds) is spending money in a big way to make red lights and stop signs safer. The Japanese National Police Agency is starting to roll out its Driving Safety Support System (DSSS) in Japan in July. Instead of waiting for someone to run a read light, and then dispatching a costly ticket, this system attempts to reduce the instances of red lights run. Toyota and other Japanese manufacturers are starting to integrate their cars into this system.
Basically, car navigation systems receive traffic information from roadside infrared beacons. This is not macro information, warning you about a traffic jam you most likely already sit in. It is fine-grained and highly targeted information about what is sometimes literally just around the corner.
This is how it works: There are roadside infrared beacons that communicate with on-board Driving Safety Support System (DSSS) receivers. They feed the information into the on-board navigation computer. It informs the driver about five possible situations:
Red light warning: A roadside infrared beacons signals the car that a read light is ahead.If the on-board system detects the possibility of running a red light, it alerts the driver.
Green light alert: Prior to the traffic light changing to green, a notification is given to the driver. No more honking necessary from fellow drivers.
Stop sign warning: A warning is sent to the driver if the system detects the possibility of the vehicle running a stop sign. There goes another souce of revenue.
Blind corners: If there is a vehicle around a blind corner, drivers on the road with the right-of-way are notified.