TOKYO, Jan 28, 2008 -- Mazda Motor Corp. will began field tests of an intelligent transport system (ITS) in the greater Hiroshima area this Monday.

A group of 50 cars equipped with ITS devices and drive recorders will hit the roads. The data will be collected and analyzed to develop a variety of systems that can help prevent traffic accidents and lighten the burden on the environment.

Mazda will conduct the tests in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport, Hiroshima University and other private-sector companies.

The cars will be equipped with a system developed by Mazda that provides information to the driver based on data received from sensors and cameras installed along roadways.