Nissan debuts navigation system with ITS safety tech
Nissan’s latest navigation system, launching on the next-generation Fuga in Japan, integrates real-time ITS data to deliver new safety and efficiency features.
Nissan has announced an upgraded navigation system that incorporates intelligent transportation system (ITS) infrastructure, marking the first time such technology appears in a production vehicle. The new system will debut on the next-generation Nissan Fuga, which is scheduled to go on sale in Japan in autumn 2009.
Nissan’s new system extends beyond conventional navigation by using ITS data broadcast from roadside infrastructure. The goal is to improve safety and efficiency, providing drivers with information that helps prevent accidents and encourages more economical driving. Nissan says the technology will be available first on the Fuga, with some features already present on other models in the domestic range.
How Nissan’s ITS navigation works
The system integrates four new functions alongside standard route guidance. These are intersection and signal warnings, elementary school zone alerts, navigation-linked speed control, and enhanced route search. Each uses real-time data or mapping to support safer or greener driving.
- Intersection and signal warning: Receives data from the Driving Safety Support System (DSSS) to alert drivers when approaching low-visibility intersections. Warnings are both audible and visual, aiming to reduce accidents where sightlines are poor.
- Elementary school zone alerts: The mapping database now includes school zones. When the vehicle enters such an area and the system detects a potential hazard based on speed, acceleration or braking, it issues a warning to prompt extra caution. This feature is already available on the Nissan Skyline Crossover, which launched in July 2009.
- Navigation-linked speed control: The system uses map data to assess upcoming road features such as sharp bends or tollgates. It can then control the engine and transmission, applying engine braking and reducing fuel flow to improve efficiency. This function is also present in the Nissan Eco (NECO) series, a line of fuel-efficient models introduced in April 2009.
- Enhanced route search and calculation: By using ITS and up-to-date mapping, the system improves route selection, potentially saving time and fuel.
Focus on safety and efficiency
The intersection and school zone warnings are designed to address two common causes of urban accidents: poor visibility at junctions and the presence of children near schools. By providing early alerts, Nissan aims to help drivers take preventative action rather than simply react to hazards. The navigation-linked speed control reflects a growing trend towards systems that actively support eco-driving, reducing emissions and fuel consumption by adjusting vehicle behaviour in anticipation of road conditions.
While the full suite of features launches with the upcoming Fuga, Nissan’s staggered rollout across its Japanese range shows a clear intention to integrate ITS technology more widely. The company has not announced plans for international availability at this stage.
