Contribution to realization of sustainable and vibrant society(14) Research on ensuring the safety and reliable road transport
services in winterResearch period: FY2016-2021
Program leader: Director of Cold-Region Road Engineering Research Group

Research Summary

Development of labor-saving
operation technique using ICT
and efﬁcient maintenancetechnology for winter maintenance equipment

Establishment of the quantitatively
assessment method for cost-beneﬁt
performance of the winter roadmanagement

Development of supporting
technology for spraying
anti-freezing agent using ICT

Development of supporting
technology of work plan for snow
disposalEstablishment of effective andefﬁcient maintenance methods
based on quantitative assessment ofdeterioration of snow removal
machines

Development of effective and
efﬁcient countermeasures for
winter trafﬁc accidents using risk
management
Using the trafﬁc big data, establishment of risk management method
for winter trafﬁc accident analysis,
systematizing accident factor
analysis methods, accident risk
assessment methods, and accident
responding menu.

R&D Program

Development and establishment
for the reasonable level of thewinter road service based on the
cost-beneﬁt performance
evaluation

Evaluation tool development of beneﬁt performancefor winter road management
Quantiﬁcation

Winter roadservice level(costs)

Traveling speed
Travel time reliability
User satisfaction

Risk assessment

Improvement(effect)

Simulation
Implementation in winter roadmanagement system

Improvement

Risk response

Effect evaluation
Risk Management＊＊Evaluate winter trafﬁc accident risk and quantify the risk
response measures from the countermeasure method (loss andthe calculation of the cost-beneﬁt) and maximize the effect ofthe measures

Evaluation tool for cost-beneﬁt
performance for the winter roadmanagementAnalysis of probable failure of snow
removal machines using FTA

Risk management approach of
winter trafﬁc accident

Improvement of safety and reliability for winter road trafﬁc service

Japan is facing the nationwide problems such as population
decline, aging population, large-scale disasters, and financial
shortage. In the snowy and cold regions, it has been moredifficult for the government to continue to provide the same
winter road services due to the financial deterioration. Therefore,
the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, has launched
a compact + network of the national land structure (National
Spatial Planning approved by the Cabinet, August 2015).
We must have the inter-regional cooperation and sharing
functions by strengthening of the transportation network inorder to realize this national land structure in the cold and snowy
region. We also need to ensure the safe and reliable winter roadtraffic service.
In this research program, we have 3 achievement goals andset the "development of management technology techniques
contributing to the safety and reliability of the winter road traffic
services" as a program goal.
(1)	Development and establishment for the reasonable levelof the winter road management based on the cost-benefit
performance evaluation(2)	Development of labor-saving operation using ICT
and efficient maintenance technology for winter roadmanagement(3)	Development of countermeasure technology for effective
and efficient winter traffic accident by risk management
By giving these research result back to society we will support
safe and reliable winter load traffic services in the snowy andcold regions.

PUBLIC WORKS RESEARCH INSTITUTE 201619