There are 1,059 Michi-no-Ekis (roadside rest areas) nationwide. More than 500 million persons use them. Michi-no-Ekis have become important facilities for regional promotion (as of 2015). The functions desired of these facilities and the use of these facilities are those of regional support facilities. These facilities have functions for providing help and information to non-Japanese tourists, and they serve as shelters at times of disaster. They are used as small-scale bases with social welfare functions. The needs of use and the functions desired by the communities have gradually been increasing and diversifying.

However, there are quite a few cases in which planning, design and management methods have not contributed to functional improvements or increased attractiveness for Michi-no-Ekis. Currently, 20 years since the Michi-no-Eki system was launched, the rebuilding and expansion or the renewal of portions of a facility have been increasing; therefore, the need for technical consultation regarding the design of Michi-no-Eki facilities has been increasing.

This study aims to help raise the standards for the design, development, and management of Michi-no-Eki facilities by (1) providing appropriate planning, design and management technologies that satisfy certain specified standards and are able to be used for any of the diversifying and evolving functions of Michi-no-Ekis and the similarly diversifying needs of the users, and (2) providing development and management technologies for creating attractive, high-quality Michi-no-Eki facilities that have high utility and are useful and efficient.