世論 What Japan Thinks

japan.internet.com recently reported on a survey into driving and navigation systems, conducted by Micware, a company that not coincidentally makes a oddly-spelt navigation Android app Comcierpass…

Demographics

Between the 17th and 19th of July 2012 600 respondents between the ages of 20 and 59 were chosen by some means to complete a survey. The only further demographic information was that they all drove a car at least once per month.

I’lll be doing one of my three drives a year on Friday, when I go off to visit various graves for Obon. The car I rent from Toyota comes with a navigation system as standard, but the maps are often a year or so out of date, unfortunately. Indeed, one of the graves we’ll be visiting has had a new housing estate built nearby and opened about two years ago, but the maps are not yet updated and every time I almost miss the turn as there is no announcement!

Research results

Q1: This summer (July to September 2012), do you plan to or have already performed a long-distance drive? (Sample size=600)

Yes	40.0%
No	60.0%

Q2: Do you use a navigation system when you drive? (Sample size=600)

Yes, usually	22.5%
Yes, sometimes	17.8%
Yes, occasionally	29.2%
No, never	30.5%

Cross-referencing Q1 and Q2, we get this:

Q1+Q2: This summer (July to September 2012), do you plan to or have already performed a long-distance drive? (Sample size=600, by navigation system use)

	Yes	No
Yes, usually N=135	63.0%	37.0%
Yes, sometimes N=107	50.5%	49.5%
Yes, occasionally N=175	36.0%	64.0%
No, never N=183	20.8%	79.2%

Q3: How much do you rely on your navigation system’s route search function? (Sample size=300, those who rely on their navigation system)

Completely rely on	12.7%
Sometimes I override its routes (to SQ)	76.0%
My own decisions take priority (to SQ)	10.3%
Cannot really rely on it (to SQ)	1.0%

Q3SQ: When do you find it difficult to rely on your navigation system’s route search function? (Sample size=262, those who don’t completely trust route search)

When its maps don’t use new roads	76.3%
When it doesn’t find the shortest route	63.7%
When information on petrol stations, convenience stores, etc is out of date	44.7%
When turn instructions do not reflect the current situation	38.2%
When it ignores current conditions and gives an inaccurate arrival time	16.4%
Other	1.1%

Q4: Have you ever experienced following the navigation instructions to your destination, but ended up at a different place? (Sample size=417, those who use their navigation system according to Q2)

Yes	50.8%
No	49.2%