Contents■ Building Damage in 2005 Pakistan Earthquake■ New Main Projects■ Publication of Technical Note on Regular Inspections for Highway Bridges– to Enhance the Quality of Regular Inspection Data –■ The 7th U.K.– Japan Workshop on Road Science and Technology (Japan: November 14 to 18, 2005)■ TECHNICAL NOTE of National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management (September-October, 2004)■ “2006 Annual Report of NILIM” is now on our website (in Japanese only, for the time being)

No.16

March 2006

News Letter

ISSN 0389-4150■ Building Damage in 2005 Pakistan Earthquake
Evaluation System Division
At 8:50 on October 8, 2005 (local time), a huge
earthquake of magnitude 7.5 occurred in the Islamic
Republic of Pakistan, with the epicenter in the northern mountains of the country. The Pakistani government announced that as of December 2005, the number of casualties stood at 73,338, while the number ofseverely injured was 69,412, and moderately injured
58,897. The number of people suffering from the disaster totaled 4 million, among whom 2.8 million losttheir houses.
I took part in a survey team of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) which visited theareas from October 23 to November 3 in 2005, andhelped institutes such as the Ministry of Housing andthe Ministry of Environment of the Pakistani government by providing technical advice on techniques forevaluating and improving the seismic performance ofbuildings, and on restoration activities in future.

The epicenter of the earthquake was near Muzaffarabad, a city in an area effectively controlled by the Pakistani government, located in the country's northern
region of Jammu and Kashmir (see the figure), and thedepth of the epicenter was approximately 10 km. The
seismic intensities on the scale of Japan's Meteorological Agency (ranging from 0 to 7) were lower level 6 inAbbottabad, about 50 km from the epicenter, and level
4 at a distance of 70 to 100 km, calculating based on
the observed acceleration at the time of occurrence.
The earthquake caused severe damage to the buildings around the city of Muzaffarabad; about 90% weredamaged in Balakot, where a number of RC and plainconcrete block buildings collapsed completely (see thePhoto). According to a survey by an international institute, some 400 thousand houses were damaged.
Some international bodies and nations have been actively involved in emergency aid activities, and they are
expected to cooperate in future restoration activities aswell.
Since one of the reasons for the massive damage isconsidered to be the low seismic performance of thebuildings and houses, seismic code of the buildings
needs to be revised and appropriately implemented,and techniques
for evaluating
and improving
seismic
performance need
to be widely disseminated.

Photo Collapse of 1- or 2-storey RC building in Balakot

N I L I MNews Letter■ New Main Projects
1. Research on Restoration of Water Circulationin Collaboration with Community Activities
To activate community activities further for realizing
the restorations of water circulation, more people need
to be made aware of the specific benefits acquired bysuch activities.
In this study, multiple effects of the policies and activities will be grasped from the viewpoint of benefits forcommunities or individuals. And we will take measures
to stimulate community activities such as developmentof information supply tools and the proposal the techniques to reduce the obstraction of community activities.

3. Research on River and Coast Managementwith Due Consideration to Climate Changes
Because the effects of global warming have alreadyappeared at many places in around the world, studies
on countermeasures are of urgent necessity. This project research focuses on the use of precipitation prediction in water management such as dam operation, as
well as the effects of global warming on rivers andcoasts, and countermeasures against them.
Precipitation Prediction data
Sophisticated precipitation forecast information

Global warming simulation results
Occurrence of severe flood

Changes on water
demand-supply balance

Changes in 100-year probability maximum
daily precipitation (100 years later)

Distribution of the rate of change inspring precipitation after 100 years

Policies and Activities for Restoring Water Circulation in Collaboration with Community Activities
Water channel
recoveryStorage of rain water inindividual houses

Purification byvegetation

Temporary storage ofdrained water

Observed• • •Forecast

Identification ofEffects

Benefits at theregional level

Prevention offire spread

Saving electricity
expenses

Improvement ofwater quality

Promotion of ecotourism

Sanitary improvement

Measurement ofeffects

Temperature drop

Improvement of scenery and recreational
activities

Reducing peak power consumption
in summer

Reduction of eutrophication of water areasand coastal regions

CO2 emissions reduction targetof Japan

Restoration of aquatic resources

Measures for stimulating
community activities

Benefits at theglobal level

Effects on the alleviation of global
warming

Amelioration of wide-ranging ecosystems

Preparation of manuals

Development of information tools

Figure 1

Case studies

2. Research on Dynamics of Materials
Circulation in River Basins and Effects onEnvironments in Closed Water Area
The dynamics of materials circulation in river basins
have dramatically altered as land use patterns havechanged. In this study, the properties of materials thatplay an important role in the restoration of water environments which contain ecosystems will be grasped,
focusing on closed water bodies and coastal regionsthat are significantly affected by the influx of materials
from river basins. The impacts of changes in material
dynamics in rivers and their basins that have influenced the water ecosystems will be studied.
Circulation of Materials Dynamics in River Basins and Effects on Water Environments
Extracting significant materials in terms of waterbio-ecosystem and understanding theirproperties (e.g.: N, P, Si, and fine grain soil)

Discussing Research Policies forMaterial Dynamics Researches
Developing interdisciplinary and integrated
research basis
Suggesting monitoring methods that should
be carried out by basin administrators
Studying the changes in dynamics ofmaterials, their supply, and theirsupply patterns, due to alteration of basin• Map of material dynamics (present, fromthe past until present)• Material dynamics in specific area

Figure 2

Presentation of rivers and coast
management political scenarios
against climate change effects

Achieve a safe society by preventing or reducing water disaster

Quantification of effects
Range of benefits

Benefits at thenational level

Application of next-generationwater management for actual
scenes• • •Analyzing the impacts of rivers
and their basins, and responses
from the waters ecosystem

Figure 3

4. Research on Regional Damage Estimation and
its Application to Disaster Mitigation Projects
Existing methods for evaluating the risk of natural
disasters generally cover rather wide areas such as
municipalities or river basins, and so it is often difficult
to evaluate the individual risk of a specific facility orpoint. This project research aims to develop a method
for evaluating the disaster risk of each facility andpoint, and to propose measures for rationalizing disaster mitigation projects based on the risk.
Debris flow torrent A

Probability of excessive
occurrence (years)

Scale of debris flow

Benefits at thepersonal level

Alleviation of heat-island effectScale of debris flow

Water controleffectDebris flow torrent B

Probability of excessive
occurrence (years)

Debris flow torrent B
Debris flow torrent A

Figure 4 An example of stream-by-stream risk evaluation of theoccurrence of sediment-related disasters

5. Evaluation Method of Countermeasures with
Various Utilities against Infrequent Mega-Risk
Type Coastal Hazards
Disasters caused by coastal hazards such as tsunamis and storm surges tend to exceed protection targets
for structural design. Such disasters, whose frequencyof occurrence is very low, cause severe damage.
The aim of this project is to propose measures for reducing mega-risk type coastal hazards which also havesocial utility during ordinary times and to establish
methods for evaluating the effects of these measuresand for facilitating consensus-building among local residents, administrative bodies and other stakeholders.

Global Influence
Reduction effects by buildings
located in waterfront areas

Reduction effect of afforestation,
plantation, beach nourishment andrestoration of tidal flats

International Transportation
Infrastructure
Concentration and relocationof facilities for storing hazardous
materials

APort(Airport)

Introduction of land use
restriction and promotion policy
for proper land use taking
damage reduction effects intoaccount
Reduction effects ofport facilities(such as quays andsheds)

Alleviation effects of port facilities(breakwaters)

EB

Port
(Airport)

Port(Airport)

FPort(Airport)(In case, to be damaged)

Improvement of disaster prevention abilities
in conjunction with renewal of waterfront andrevitalization of idle land

DC

Port
(Airport)

Roads, artificial grounds and esplanadesthat help prevent tidal inundation

Port(Airport)

Figure 5 Schematic illustration of countermeasures with various utilities
against the mega-risk type coastal hazards

Figure 7 An image when the network hub is damaged

6. Research on Evaluation Technologies andMeasures to Protect People from Accidents
inside Buildings in Daily Life

8. Research on Smart Mobility Based on Second
Stage ITS

Recently, the number of deaths or injuries due tounexpected accidents, such as the death of a boy entrapped by an automatic revolving door, inside buildings during daily life is increasing. The objectives ofthis research are to develop methods to appropriately
evaluate the risks of such accidents and to establish aknowledge base for assuring the safety of building
users. Guidelines for the planning and designing ofbuildings and/or building equipment to evaluate risks
and to take appropriate safety measures to assure thesafety of building users will also be developed.
BACKGROUND§Aging Society§Change of Lifestyle§Enhanced Space/ Building
Equipment§ Increase of UserAccidents§ New Causes of Accidents

ANALYSISOUTCOME

Correlation Analysis among
Risk Factors

Users Safety Guideline:
Planning New Buildings

User Attributes
Space,Equipment

Situations

Human-building
Interactions

Users Safety Guideline:
Renovation ofBuilding/Equipment

CONSEQUENCES

Accident Risk Evaluation Model

Need for R&D on risk
evaluation technologies
and safety measures

SYNTHESISKB for daily life safety of building users

In August, 2004, the Smartway Project Advisory
Committee (chaired by Syoichiro Toyoda) made a proposal titled “ITS Enter the Second Stage – Smart Mobility for All –”. The objectives stated in the proposal are
as follows:
1) Realization of in-vehicle environment that enables awide variety of services delivered by a single ITS onboard unit by 2007 and2) Realization of the following services using the ITS onboard unit:a) Smooth passage through all types of gates;b) Regional guides appropriate to location and needs;andc) Timely driving support information.

To realize the proposal, research and development
will be carried out on various elemental and fundamental technologies required for each service. The standards and specifications concerning on-board units,
roadside units and communications will also be studied and decided.

(1) Smooth passage through all types of gates(Payment service at public parking areas)

Safe and Assured
Environment

The service enables the cashless payment of parking
fees at public parking areas

Figure 6 To achieve a safe and assured environment for building users

7. Research on Comprehensive RiskManagement of International Transportation
Infrastructure
There has been increasing concern that the risks ofnatural disasters, accidents, and criminal activities will
significantly affect the operation and safety of international transportation infrastructure such as ports andairports. In this research, the influence of such risks
on international transportation services will be evaluated accurately, countermeasures for improving both facilities and services will be developed, and reasonablerisk management measures with high cost-effectiveness will be proposed. Measures to maintain the international transportation network security on the national level at the time of crisis outbreak.

(3) Timely driving support information(Road information service)(2) Regional guides appropriate to location andneeds (Connection service to information via
Road Stations and other specific areas)

The service uses 5.8 GHz VICS to provide road traffic
information and replaces conventional VICS services

The service provides road information at Road Stations,and service and parking areas (SA/PA) on expressways

Figure 8• Other Main Projects

You can see them in “Handbook of NILIM” on our website,www.nilim.go.jp

■ Publication of Technical Note on Regular Inspections for Highway Bridges– to Enhance the Quality of Regular Inspection Data –Bridge and Structures Division
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport
is promoting scientific bridge management to effectively preserve the enormous number of highway bridgesin Japan. Inspections to collect fundamental information for strategic planning are considered to be one ofthe most important parts of management. A regular inspection is carried out every 5 years in Japan according to the “Regular inspection manual for highway
bridges (draft)” notified in March 2004. It is important
to collect reliable data in order to conduct suitable

maintenance works. The National Institute for Landand Infrastructure Management (NILIM) publishedthe "Technical note on regular inspections for highway bridges" in order to assist the inspectors. This
note provides technical information on examples ofvarious damage patterns and the results of evaluation. The note is expected to help highway administrators to conduct planned bridge management based onreliable data.

■ The 7th U.K.– Japan Workshop on Road Science and Technology (Japan: November 14 to18, 2005)
Traffic Engineering Division
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportof Japan and the Highways Agency of the U.K. held
the annual U.K.-Japan Workshop on Road Scienceand Technology in Tsukuba, Tokyo, and in Hyogo.
Representatives of Japan and the U.K. presented papers and the participants conducted lively exchangesof opinions at five sessions: Asset Management, Road
Environment, ITS, Performance Management, andRoad Pricing. The representatives of the U.K. provided
information on their activities including road pricing
and traffic management using information technologies. In addition, a trilateral workshop - seminar washeld by the U.S. Japan, and the U.K, and the participants toured the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and the Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution. Itwas confirmed that the two countries would continue
this series of workshops in the coming years.

Photo■ TECHNICAL NOTE of National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management(September-October, 2004)
Names of Divisions

Title of Paper

No139

Guidebook for wildlife census with the participation of residents -By MBR method-

Landscape and Ecology Division

165

Guideline for improving road safety at Hazardous Spots -from the point of view of infrastructure-

Advanced Road Design and Safety Division

167

Report of International Symposium “Vision for Watershed/Urban Regeneration in Accordance with Nature” -Urban Regeneration from Water and Green-River Environment Division

173

The Model for Estimation of Fuel Economy of Yard Trailer in Container Yard

Coastal Zone Systems Division

189

A Development of the Software to Measure Economic Effects of Airport Improvements

Airport Planning Division

190

An Analysis on the Change in the European Aviation Network after the 80’s

Airport Planning Division

191

An Analysis on Transportation Hinterland of International Freight in North America Continent in Which it Centered on the Transportation

Port Systems Division

Between North America East Asia
192

Synthesis of Estimation Systems of Energy Consumption and CO2 Emission Associated with Port Terminal Projects for Unit Load Handling

Coastal Zone Systems Division

193

Report of the 1st Evaluation Committee of NILIM in FY 2004

Research Administration and Evaluation Division■ “2006 Annual Report of NILIM” is now on our website (in Japanese only, for the time being)
aaWe publish “2006 Annual Report of NILIM” to show our research activities and accomplishments, and you
can see its contents on our wewbsite, www.nilim.go.jp. English version will be available in the furture.

National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport
Asahi 1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0804, Japan(Tachihara) Tachihara 1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0802, Japan(Yokosuka) Nagase 3-1-1, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, 239-0826, Japan
TEL:+81-29-864-2675 FAX:+81-29-864-4322

News Letter

No.16

March 2006w w w . n i l i m . g o . j p