Taxi meter - takushi-me-ta (English spelling)

A measuring device that displays the fare for taxis, which are based on distance-based fares, by measuring the distance traveled and the time required to calculate the fare. It is usually installed on the passenger side of the taxi's instrument panel, and also displays the fare for empty cars, occupied cars, pick-up cars, out-of-car, late-night and early-morning cars (although the location of the device may differ in other countries). In the past, it was a mechanical type that was activated by tilting an arm called a "flag" that indicated an empty car, but now electronic meters that are operated with a push button and electrically display the fare such as empty or occupied are in widespread use.

The meter measures the distance traveled by detecting the rotation of the propeller shaft from a part of the transmission, and also functions as a clock to measure time. Previously, tolls were calculated based on distance traveled alone, but as congestion on overcrowded roads became commonplace, a system was introduced that combined distance and time tolls.

[Takashima Shizuo]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

距離による賃走を基本とするタクシーで、料金計算の根拠となる走行距離や所要時間を測定して料金を表示する計測機。通常、タクシーの計器盤上の助手席側に備え、車外への空車、実車、迎車、回送、深夜早朝料金の表示などを兼ねる（外国では装着場所の異なることもある）。かつては空車を示す「旗」とよばれる腕を倒して作動させる機械式であったが、現在は押しボタンで操作し、空車、実車などの表示も電気的に行う電子式メーターが普及している。

　メーターは変速機の一部からプロペラシャフトの回転を検出して走行距離を計測するほか、時間を測定する時計の機能ももつ。以前は走行距離だけで料金を計算していたが、過密による道路の渋滞が日常化するに及んで、距離時間併用制がとられたからである。

［高島鎮雄］

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