Japan is starting to experiment with self-driving buses in rural (乡村的) communities, such as the town of Nishikata, where the elderly are living a hard life because of fewer bus and taxi services as the population ages and becomes smaller.
The advance of the self-driving technology is making cities such as Paris and Singapore experiment with such services, which could prove important in Japan, where populations are not only graying, but becoming smaller, in rural areas.
Japan could start the self-driving services for communities that are far from cities by 2020, if the experiments begun this month prove successful.
The government plans to turn highway rest stops into centers from which to drive the elderly to medical and banking services.
“Smaller towns in Japan are graying even faster than cities, and there are just not enough workers to drive buses and taxis,” said Hiroshi Nakajima of mobile gaming software maker DeNA Co.
In the initial (最初的) experiments, the elderly of Nishikata were sent from a service area to some organizations providing healthcare services.
“I worry about not being able to go out when I’m no longer able to drive,” said one test rider, Shizu Yuzawa, adding that she would be open to using such services.
The test also checked the vehicle’s safety in road conditions, and if those crossing its path would react to the warning it gives.
The ride, at a speed of about 10 kilometers per hour, felt comfortable and safe, said test taker Mieko Shimazaki, 71, but her 72-year-old husband, Susumu, said, “Self-driving cars could be useful in the future, but I’d like to see them go faster, at least at 40 kilometers per hour.”
8. Why are driverless buses appearing in Nishikata?
A.Nobody there can drive a bus. |
B.Its population is aging and falling. |
C.People there welcome new things. |
D.People there can hardly afford cars. |
9. What does the government plan to do?
A.Provide healthcare services. |
B.Train more bus and taxi drivers. |
C.Produce more and more driverless cars. |
D.Set up centers for picking up passengers. |
10. What was Shizu Yuzawa’s attitude toward the self-driving services?
A.She was uncertain about them. |
B.She was doubtful about them. |
C.She was in favor of them. |
D.She was strongly against them. |
11. Which of the following about self-driving buses did Susumu think could improve?
A.Their speed. | B.Their safety. |
C.Their space. | D.Their price. |