The 8th RTRI Seminar Refers to Earthquakes
On October 17th 1995, the 8th Railway Technical Research Institute (RTRI) seminar entitled "Protect a railway system form earthquakes" was held at Yamaha Hall in Tokyo. The seminar shows a part of the R&D activities of RTRI which is the only general research organization of the railway system in Japan. This time, 6 presentations referring to earthquake were given before an audience filling the hall of JR groups. These presentations were highly attractive because they were focused on the Hyogo-ken-nanbu Earthquake which hit on the early morning of January 17, 1995. The Hyogo-ken-nanbu (Southern Part of Hyogo Prefecture in Japan) Earthquake originated just below the northern part of Awaji Island and swept the neighboring Kobe city areas. Various viaducts of Shinkansen line, conventional lines, private lines, expressways and so on, which had been believed to be technically safe under the strongest earthquakes were collapsed. Lifelines including gas and water systems, electric supply, and telephone service suffered severe damage. 5,466 lives were lost making the most serious damage in Japan experience since World War 2. In the opening address, Dr. Yashoshima, chairman of RTRI, said that we have a most valuable lesson from the disaster urging us to build radically more earthquake-proof structures in quick recovery, and imposing new problems future railway system. We should make the most of this experience for the future security plan. The following presentations were made after the opening address: (1) "UrEDAS (Urgent Earthquake Detection and Alarm System) and HERAS (Hazard Estimation and Restoration Aid System)"; Dr. Yutaka Nakamura, general manager of RTRI (2) "Earthquake-proof structures"; Dr. Akihiko Nishimura, general manager of RTRI (3) "Change of track and safety in earthquake"; Mr. Sigeru Miura, general manager of RTRI (4) "Derailment mechanisms of rolling stock", Dr. Masayuki Miyamoto, senior researcher of RTRI (5) "Human behaviors in disaster"; Mr. Tadashi Watanabe, senior researcher of RTRI (6) "On restoration of Shinkansen and JR Kobe-line"; Mr. Norio Shinomiya, director of West Japan Railway Co.ltd. The last presentation was a sepecial one by Mr. Shinomiya who was responsible for the restoration work in the site. The semiar was a great success with a large attendance of 450 peoples.