thThe 14 World Conference on Earthquake Engineering
October 12-17, 2008, Beijing, China

JOINT RESEARCH PROJECT ON THE DISASTER MITIGATINGINFORMATION SHARING PLATFORM AND ITS APPLICATION TOA TEST FIELD
1

Takeyasu Suzuki and Yozo Goto
1

2

Professor, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medical and Engineering , University of Yamanashi,
Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan
2
Senior Researcher, Institute of Environment and Disaster Research, Fuji Tokoha University,
Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture, JAPAN
Email: takeyasu@yamanashi.ac.jp, gotoyozo@mitglobe.ne.jp

ABSTRACT :For the purpose of reducing disaster damage by applying information sharing technologies, the research on
disaster reduction using crisis-adaptive information sharing technologies was commenced in July, 2004, as athree year joint project composed of a government office and agency, national research institutes, universities,
lifeline utilities, a NPO and a private company. In this project, the disaster mitigating information sharing
platform which is effective to disaster response activities especially for local governments was developed.
The platform is composed of frameworks of both information systems and information contents. The
development of the information sharing protocol, database and various information systems and tools was
conducted to build a framework of information systems. The research on standardization of information items
and spatial data processed through the platform also was successfully performed, on the other hand, as aframework of information contents processed on the platform. Then, the research went into the stage of
constructing a prototype of the platform by integrating an individual system and tool. Finally, the prototype ofthe disaster mitigating information sharing platform developed in the research project was applied to Mitsuke
City in Niigata Prefecture, Japan as a field test and was proved to be effective to disaster response activities for
not only the city but the Cabinet Office, the Fire Defense Agency and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure andTransport as central government agencies, Niigata Prefecture as local government and lifeline companies, etc.
KEYWORDS:

Information Sharing, Disaster Response, Local Government

1. INTRODUCTION
It is well known that the lack in information sharing led to an increase of damage in past notable disasters, likethe Hyogoken-nanbu earthquake of 1995 in Japan. This lesson has not been necessarily reflected on disaster
response activities, even in recent disasters due to a heavy rainfall and an earthquake with a magnitude around 7
occurring every year in various parts across the country. The Central Disaster Prevention Council of Japan haspresented a fundamental principle on damage reduction by promoting disaster information in 2003. With thisas a turning point, the Cabinet Office of Japan has started to build the disaster information sharing platform forcentral government of Japan. Keeping pace with the Cabinet Office, the research on disaster reduction usingcrisis-adaptive information sharing technologies was commenced in July, 2004 as a three year joint project,composed of a government office and agency, national research institutes, universities, lifeline utilities, a NPO
and a private company [Suzuki and Goto, 2006a and Suzuki and Hada, 2007]. In this project, the disastermitigating information sharing platform (stated as the DiMIS platform below in this paper), which is effective
to disaster response activities, especially for local governments, was developed.
In this project, the development of various information systems and information tools were developed and theresearch on the standardization of information contents processed through the platform was also carried out. A
prototype of the platform was built by integrating an individual system and tool. Then, the platform wasapplied to a test field for verification. This paper presents the summary of the three years project, focusing on
the framework of the platform and its application to a local government as a test field.

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The 14 World Conference on Earthquake Engineering
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Figure 1

Schematic Representation of the DiMIS Platform

2. DIFINITION OF THE DIMIS PLATFORM
In this project, the DiMIS platform is defined as the framework for establishing liaison among different
information systems in different governmental agencies and public institutions at the time of disaster response[Suzuki and Goto, 2006b and Suzuki, 2009]. Figure 1 illustrates a schematic representation of the DiMIS
platform. The framework is divided into two different categories, i.e., a category on information engineering
basis and that on social science basis. The former is represented by the communication protocol, theinformation sharing database and application software in conformity to the protocol. The latter, on the other
hand, is represented by contents of information and their distribution system. Thus, the DiMIS platform does, inother words, constitute the framework regarding both information systems and information contents.
3. FRAMEWORK AS INFORMATION SYSTEM
3.1 Protocol (MISP)The communication protocol of the DiMIS platform is the communication procedure to access the DiMIS
database. As the prototype of the DiMIS platform, MISP (Mitigation Information Sharing Protocol) wasestablished in the project. XML is used as data expression and GML is adopted as geographical data expressionin MISP. WFS is adopted as the protocol for database searching and management. SOAP is used as astandardized form of the Web service. Thus, MISP is mainly composed of international standards. The originalfunction of dynamic registering regarding data structure is added to MISP as an extensive function.
Different information systems for supporting disaster response activities, with various database systems and
GIS engines, have already been introduced to local governments or public institutions. Therefore, the rigorous
standardization of information systems cannot be an expedient approach to establish liaison among different
disaster information systems. Thus, the authors propose a generous unification of various disaster information
systems through the information sharing protocol based on MISP.
3.2 DiMIS database (DaRuMa)
The DiMIS database is the database in conformity to MISP. The prototype of this database is built on
MySQL, an existing relational database, and it was named as DaRuMa. When an application program accesses
to this database using MISP, it can access to MySQL through the protocol processor. It has both functions of ath

The 14 World Conference on Earthquake Engineering
October 12-17, 2008, Beijing, China

database server and a communication server. The access to the database is controlled according to an
information sharing rule. In order to enable easier access to DaRuMa from existing information systems, library
software which enables conversion of various data formats is prepared. The concept of the database isillustrated in Figure 2 and the framework as information systems is summarized as Figure 3.

Figure 2 The DiMIS database (DaRuMa)

Figure 3 Framework as information systems in the platform

4. FRAMEWORK AS INFORMATION CONTENTS
As a framework for making different information systems communicate with each other, not only “a framework
as information systems” explained in the preceding chapter but “a framework as contents of information” isalso important. A local government such as a city or a town needs to share various information with local
inhabitants, lifeline utilities, disaster prevention organizations such as the police station, the fire station, theSelf-Defence Force, hospitals, and the upper local government (prefecture), when a large disaster occurs. In
this project, examinations are given on the kind, the form and the accuracy of information required at the timeof disaster in the time process. Thus, the investigation was carried out based on a questionnaire and aninterview to local government employees who have experienced disaster response activities in actual disasters.
Such investigation was conducted in Mitsuke city, Kashiwazaki city, Nagaoka city and Niigata prefecture forthe 2004 Niigataken-Chuetsu earthquake and in Mitsuke city for the 2004 Fukushima-Niigata heavy rainfall
disaster. It was also carried out in Takamatsu city for the 2004 high tide by typhoon No. 16 and for the 2004
flood by typhoon No. 23, and in Fukuoka city for the 2005 Fukuoka-ken Seiho-oki earthquake and for the 2003
heavy rainfall disaster.
The result of the investigation was arranged and summarized as the database for shared information necessary
for disaster response activities. Such information is correspondent with the disaster mitigating information.
Based on the database, the information flow diagram was drawn for individually classified information group.
In addition, the information processing flow for individually classified information group was also summarized[Suzuki and Amami, 2009].
Investigation on
Disaster Response
for Local
Governments

Information
Processing
Flow
DiagramInformation
Sharing Rule

Database for
SharedInformation

Information
Flow
Diagram

Table for Shared
Information

DiMIS
Platform

XML
SchemaFigure 4 shows a schematic diagram to demonstrate the research on the framework as information contents

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The 14 World Conference on Earthquake Engineering
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The table for shared information in which information items are classified systematically, was made first. Then,XML schema for each shared information datum was built. It describes the structure of information datum
and every information system can access to DaRuMa to register, acquire or search datum using the schema
using the DiMIS protocol, MISP.
5. RESEARCH ON EFFICIENT UTILIZATION OF THE DIMIS PLATFORM
In order to demonstrate concretely the effectiveness of the DiMIS platform, information systems, tools orapplications, which are capable of making efficient use of the shared information, were developed. In thischapter, authors introduce some examples representing such information systems and tools developed in the
project.
5.1 Information sharing system supporting disaster response management in a local government
The disaster response management system for a local government was developed. The system takes importantroles not only on information sharing and decision making for disaster response in a local government, but oncommunication with various information systems both inside and outside the local government as a clientsystem of the DiMIS database, DaRuMa. The system is a Web application designed reflecting on theinvestigation on disaster response for local governments introduced in Chapter 4 (Figure 5). For the purpose of
applying this system to the field test, a prototype system was developed as the disaster response management
system for Mitsuke city, Niigata Prefecture, Japan [Suzuki and Amami, 2007].

Figure 5 The disaster response management system for a local government
5.2 Information sharing system for lifeline utilities
An examination was given on the information which lifeline utilities are able to supply and need to acquire in adisaster, in the workshop organized by the Cabinet Office, the National Police Agency, the Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure and Transport, Tokyo Electric Power Company, Tokyo Gas Company, Nippon Telegraph andTelephone East Corporation (NTT East), and National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster
Prevention. Based on the examination, the information which lifeline utilities need to acquire through the
DiMIS platform in a disaster was summarized as an information table [Hada et. al, 2006].
The prototype of information sharing system for lifeline utilities, which deals with the above information, wasdeveloped in the project. Then, the information sharing experiment was carried out, in which the seismic
disaster prevention information system of Tokyo Gas Company was connected with DaRuMa through theprototype of the information sharing system developed.

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The 14 World Conference on Earthquake Engineering
October 12-17, 2008, Beijing, China

5.3 Viewer system and GUI guideline
In order to achieve smooth information sharing, the GUI guideline was established. The method of data input
and display on screens for PDA, cellular phones, and large displays was developed and it was summarized as
the guideline. Then, the prototype of a viewer system and a few data collecting tools was developed according
to the guideline.
5.4 Simulators
Several simulation systems were developed. They receive necessary input data from DaRuMa, then conductsimulation, and register simulation outputs to DaRuMa. The simulation system for optimum operation ofregional fire fighting power was developed, as a client simulator of the DiMIS platform (Figure 6a).
The evacuation simulator was also developed as a client system of the platform, in consideration of thecharacteristics of evacuation activities in a local area or in a local core facility. This system obtains disaster
information through the DiMIS platform and carries out an evacuation simulation. Then, the information on the
induction for evacuation is sent to a local area or to a local core facility through the DiMIS platform (Figure
6b).

(a) Fire spreading simulation(b) Evacuation simulation
Figure 6 Screen shots of simulation system
6. FIELD TEST ON THE APPLICATION OF THE PLATFORM TO A LOCAL GOVERNMENT
6.1 Purpose of the Field Test
As described above, the DiMIS platform is composed of various information systems. The verification of eachsystem does not necessarily mean the verification of the whole system. In order to verify that the platform iseffective to disaster response activities, therefore, a prototype of the platform was built by the integration ofdifferent systems and tools developed in this research project, and it was applied to a local government [Suzuki,
2008].
Mitsuke city was selected as the test field. The city, with the population of about 44000, is located at a central
area of Niigata prefecture, featuring a rural district with rice fields. The city is divided into north and south by
the Kariyata river which repeatedly caused floods in the past. Mitsuke city suffered two notable disasters, i.e.,
the Fukushima-Niigata heavy rainfall of 2004 and the central Niigata prefecture earthquake of 2004. Local

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The 14 World Conference on Earthquake Engineering
October 12-17, 2008, Beijing, China

government employees of Mitsuke city are well trained by disaster responses in actual disasters, as well as
being highly conscious of disaster mitigation and prevention, since they have experience these disasters.
Thus, they can take part in the field test as players and can evaluate the effectiveness of the platform to disaster
response activities in local governments.
6.2 Method of the Field Tests
The field test is consisted of 6 parts as shown in Table 1. The heavy rainfall was selected as a disasterphenomenon adopted in the test. In each part, issues for verification were set up and scenarios were written.
Nine different research institutions out of 13 took part in the field test. In addition, 9 different organizations
related to the disaster response activities of Mitsuke city joined the test as collaborators.
Therefore, a numberof researchers and disaster prevention personnel and government officials participated in the field test.
Table 1: Description of the field test
No.
1
2
3
4
5

Title of each part
Information and establishment
Collection of disaster information and disaster
response (drill)
Management of place of refuge
Induction of evacuation
Distribution of information to the mass media
Information sharing among various organizations

6

Organization evaluating the test
Mitsuke city
Mitsuke city, Niigata prefecture, Fire and Disaster
Management Agency and Cabinit Office
Mitsuke city
Lifeline utilities, Police station of Mitsuke, Niigata
prefecture, Fire and Disaster Management Agency
Mitsuke city and the mass communication media
participated in the test
Cabinet Office, Fire and Disaster Management Agency,
Mitsuke city, Niigata prefecture, Lifeline utilities, Police
station of Mitsuke

In the second part of the field test, the disaster response drill was executed by local government employees ofMitsuke city as players in the circumstances of the DiMIS platform. They collected disaster information andresponded using the disaster response management system. After the drill, they evaluated the effectiveness ofthe platform compared the response activities between with and without the platform in dependence upon theirexperience.
In other parts of the field test, the collaborators only evaluated the effectiveness of the platformright after they observed the demonstration conducted by the research institutions.
PDA, Cellular
Phone
Niigata Pref.

Cabinet Office
Web Cameras
Wireleaa
LAN

FDMA
Tohoku Electicic
Co.Ltd.

Niigata Prefecture
DiMIS Database

Mitsuke City
DiMIS DB

SharingDB

Sharing
DB

Disaster Response
Management System
Verification
ViewerNTT East
GIS Data

Mass MediaDB

Sensor Data (Meteorlogical,
River level,
Dam)

Mass Com. Media

Shelter

Evacuation
Simulation

Road Traffic
Simulation
CellularPhone, FAX,,
Radio
Transmission

Figure 7 The DiMIS platform applied to the field testth

The 14 World Conference on Earthquake Engineering
October 12-17, 2008, Beijing, China

Figure 8 Viewer system

Figure 9 Disaster response (No.2)

The field test was mainly conducted in Mitsuke city. Some data are transmitted to Niigata prefecture
government in Niigata city and the Fire and Disaster Management Agency in Tokyo, through the public broadband network of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication.
6.3 Platform applied to the field tests
Figure 7 illustrates a schematic diagram to describe the prototype of the DiMIS platform constructed for thefield test. The DiMIS database was allocated inside and outside Mitsuke city, respectively. The databaseinside Mitsuke city is the information sharing database server for Mitsuke city and it was connected with suchclient systems as the disaster response management system, simulators, information collection systems (PDA,
cellular phone) and a viewer system. The viewer system is the system to demonstrate contents of information in
the database. In addition, the database is connected with the information sharing database outside the city
(Niigata Prefecture) and the database for mass communication media.
The DiMIS database outside Mitsuke city is supposed to be located in Niigata Prefecture Government. It isconnected with information sharing systems of lifeline utilities such as Tohoku Electric Power Co., Ltd. and NTT
East, Niigata prefecture (including the river and dam information center), and the Fire and Disaster Management
Agency in Tokyo.
Both databases inside and outside Mitsuke city were connected. The database in Niigata prefecture transmits
information from Niigata prefecture and lifeline utilities to Mitsuke city and receives information of disasterdamages, disaster response activities and requests from Mitsuke city. Such information sharing between the two
databases is executed automatically by polling action.
6.4 Test Results
The field test was carried out mainly in the meeting room in the city hall of Mitsuke city where the headquartersof disaster countermeasure was set up. Government officials of the Fire and Disaster Management Agency
observed the field test at the risk management center in Tokyo.
The second part of the test was carried out as a disaster response drill as mentioned, several local government
employees were sent to outside the city hall for the investigation of disaster damages. The damage was sent to
the DiMIS platform using PDA, cellular phones and shared through a viewer (Figure 8) as well as on screens of
the disaster response management system (Figure 9).
Figure 10 shows a screen shot superimposing lifeline information over geographical and damage information.
Each area of blackout of power supply and telecommunication, closed roads and flood areas, respectively was
superimposed on the geographical information. Such superimposition of data can be made onto Google Earth(Figure 11).
After finishing the final part of the test, the evaluation of the platform was made by collaborators in the form ofboth questionnaire and interview. The platform was evaluated as highly effective to disaster response activities.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Kusumi, Mayer of Mitsuke city expressed his gratitude to us and indicated that hewanted to introduce the platform to Mitsuke city for the safe of citizens.

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The 14 World Conference on Earthquake Engineering
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Figure 10 Superposition of lifeline information (Part6)

Figure 11 Superimposition of various
information on Google Earth

7.CONCLUDING REMARKSThis paper presented the outline of the three year joint research project on the disaster mitigating information
sharing platform. The framework of the platform was established and various information systems and tools
were developed as a prototype of the platform. The prototype was applied to the test field. Then, the platform
was evaluated as highly effective to disaster response activities.
Researchers who participated in this project have established NPO named as ADMiRe (Agency for Promoting
Disaster Mitigation and Damage Reduction) in order to realize the platform and started their activities invarious fields.
REFERENCES
Suzuki, T. and Goto, Y. (2006a). Introduction of an approach to disaster mitigation using crisis-adaptive
information sharing platform and technology, Risk Analysis, V, 119-125.
Suzuki, T. and Goto, Y. (2006b). Framework on disaster mitigating information sharing platform, Proceedingsof the 12th Japan Earthquake Engineering Symposium, 1346-1349. (in Japanese)
Suzuki, T. and Hada, Y. (2007). Joint research project on disaster reduction using information sharing
technologies, Proceeding of the 2nd International Conference on Urban Disaster Reduction, Taiwan.
Suzuki, T. and Amami, M. (2007). Disaster response management system for local government and its
application to the response drill, Proceedings of Earthquake Engineering, JSCE 29, 71-79. (in Japanese)
Suzuki, T. and Amami, M. (2009). Investigation on actual disaster responses in local governments in terms of
information sharing, Journal of Japan Earthquake Engineering Association. (accepted).
Hada, Y., Suetomi, I., Suzuki, T. and Nabana, K. (2006). Lifeline information sharing through the disastermitigating information sharing platform, Proceedings of the 12th Japan Earthquake Engineering Symposium,
1342-1345. (in Japanese)
Suzuki, T. (2008). Field Test on the application of disaster mitigating information sharing platform to local
governments and its evaluation, Journal of Disaster Information Studies 6, 107-118. (in Japanese)
Suzuki, T. (2009). Report of the research on damage reduction by information sharing technologies, Journal ofJapan Association of Earthquake Engineering, Special Publication of Disaster Reduction using Information
Technologies (accepted).