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Will Smart and WILLER EXPRESS Join Forces for Regional Transport DX Project

In an exciting move for public transportation, Will Smart, a technology company based in Koto, Tokyo, and WILLER EXPRESS, also based in Tokyo, have been selected for a significant initiative by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. This project, named "Technology Verification for Advanced Bus Operations and Safety Management Utilizing In-Vehicle Devices and AI," is a part of the government's broader effort to re-design and enhance regional transport systems. The aim is to tackle the challenges faced in bus operations, including labor shortages and the decentralization of safety and operational management.

Overview of the Project

As the demand for public transportation rises amidst a driver shortage, the existing operational frameworks in the bus industry are increasingly under strain. Many bus services rely on outdated and isolated management systems for safety, operations, and passenger information. This results in inefficient operations and elevated operational costs. To address these pressing issues, the project aims to create a web-based, cloud-integrated, paperless operational support system compliant with the bus business standards set forth by the Ministry.

The integration of Will Smart's cutting-edge operating systems and in-vehicle devices leveraging AI, combined with WILLER EXPRESS's extensive safety management experience from actual operational environments, aims to develop and enhance a comprehensive suite of tools for real-world application.

By implementing this project, both companies are focused on not only standardizing and streamlining operations but also enhancing safety management protocols. The ultimate goal is to create a cost-effective package that can be scaled to benefit other bus operators in Japan.

Key Aspects of the Project

1. New Development of an Operational Support System

Rather than simply upgrading existing systems, a new operational support system will be developed based on the national bus operation standards. This will incorporate functionalities like bus location tracking and GTFS tools, ensuring the system is adaptable to a variety of operator needs and enhancing overall flexibility. A cohesive data-sharing environment across safety, operation, and passenger information systems will be established to support efficient operations.

2. Centralized Management of Vehicle Data

One of the primary objectives is to unify data from OBD-type digital tachographs and drive recorders. This data will be managed in a cloud environment to analyze and enhance operational efficiency and safety measures. The project will also implement real-time operation data sharing through GTFS and integrate with WILLER EXPRESS’s safety cloud system, "RootS." Utilizing AI will further optimize operational management, ensuring a holistic approach to improving bus industry operations.

3. Real-World Safety Management Trials

The project will conduct testing within the actual operating environment of the "Narita Shuttle Shinkiba Line" run by WILLER EXPRESS. This will involve using data collected from vehicles to evaluate how well the safety management upgrades can be integrated into routine operations. The collaboration will not only assess the system’s functionality but also its ability to enhance daily operational efficiency and safety protocols.

Through this partnership, Will Smart and WILLER EXPRESS aim to build a practical digital transformation model that meets the real needs of bus operators.

Goals and Future Engagement

The project's ambitions include:

• - Standardization and Efficiency: Develop standardized operational models to eliminate set tasks and promote paperless operations.
• - Elevated Safety Management: Enhance decision-making processes based on concrete data rather than solely on experience.
• - Enhanced User Information Provision: Provide real-time and precise operational data to users.
• - Cost Reduction Strategies: Reduce the overall cost of operation through evaluation of total implementation expenses.
• - Industry-Wide Adoption: Create scalable and economically feasible packages for use beyond specific operators.

Next Steps

The project outlines a clear roadmap beginning in August 2026 with requirement analysis, followed by agile system development until December 2026. Subsequent testing phases will take place into early 2027, culminating with reporting and evaluation plans set for February 2027.

Through this initiative, Will Smart and WILLER EXPRESS are committed to enhancing accuracy in bus operation and safety management while improving user information services. By combining technological advancements with practical insights from actual operations, they aspire to deliver a sustainable solution to the regional transport challenges facing the bus industry today. Together, they envision a transportation future where operational burdens are minimized and safety and service quality are significantly enhanced.