The coldest winter snap of the season triggered transportation chaos across much of Japan, resulting in massive road, rail and other delays. Extreme weather conditions are especially life-threatening if people become stranded. It is vital to review events of recent days to assess whether enough was done to avert such a disastrous outcome.
Heavy snowfall Jan. 25 caused a roughly 30-kilometer vehicle backup on the Shin-Meishin Expressway along sections straddling Mie and Shiga prefectures. Many vehicles were stuck for more than 20 hours.
Central Nippon Expressway Co., which operates the toll road, wanted to clear the expressway quickly but was unable to do so as snowplows initially were unable to gain access.
One factor behind the traffic jam was the closure of the Meihan Expressway, a national highway running parallel to the Shin-Meishin Expressway, which forced drivers to switch to using the Shin-Meishin.
It is possible that the decision to limit the expressway traffic and start operations to remove the snow was delayed. Late last year, heavy snowfall resulted in drivers becoming stranded for around 30 hours on a national highway in Niigata Prefecture. It is unfortunate that lessons from that event were not applied.
The land and transport ministry used to follow a policy of avoiding road closures as much as possible. But two years ago, the ministry switched to closing roads in advance only when there is a risk of traffic snarls that could result in life-threatening situations.
This strategy can only work effectively if relevant information is gathered swiftly and conveyed to motorists in a timely fashion.
Other road operators would do well to re-examine their systems and work closely with police and meteorological observatories to ensure they are effective. Trucking companies and logistics services providers also should review whether and why they could not alter schedules, so their vehicles did not become stranded.
Fifteen trains operated by West Japan Railway Co. were stuck between stations on the Kyoto and Biwako lines from late Jan. 24 to dawn, leaving around 7,000 passengers stranded in the carriages. Train stoppages lasted for up to 9 hours and 50 minutes. Sixteen passengers were rushed to hospitals. Some passengers disembarked and walked along the railway tracks to nearby stations.
Numerous railroad switches that guide trains from one track to another failed to function due to freezing and other reasons, according to JR West. The switches are equipped with snow melting systems designed to activate when snowfall of 10 centimeters or more in six hours is forecast, according to the company. But this didn’t happen because snow was forecast to fall to a depth of 8 cm, not the 15 cm that fell.
JR West deserves to be criticized for acting with undue optimism. It should also review its approach to evacuating passengers from stranded trains.
When a natural disaster strikes, the situation can often change drastically, hampering efforts to respond appropriately. That makes it even more important for any concerned parties to expand and strengthen their cooperation.
The Kyoto municipal government learned from social media post about trains being stranded and dispatched officials to stations. It also offered its facilities as emergency evacuation centers.
Local governments, public transportation services and related organizations should routinely carry out drills simulating emergencies so they can proactively respond without waiting for a request for assistance to be met.
Both the land and transportation ministry and Japan Meteorological Agency issued advance warnings about the expected cold wave. The fact that massive traffic jams and train stoppages still occurred is a cause for alarm.
The winter snap was caused by a vortex of cold air above the North Pole that moved southward, the JMA said. Extremely cold weather can hit Japan due to the meandering of prevailing westerlies.
Some experts warn that climate change can also cause extreme winter weather. Steps are needed to make the nation better prepared for unprecedented cold snaps and unusually heavy snowfalls.
--The Asahi Shimbun, Jan. 27
EDITORIAL: Transport chaos highlights risk of undue optimism and complacency
The coldest winter snap of the season triggered transportation chaos across much of Japan, resulting in massive road, rail and other delays. Extreme weather conditions are especially life-threatening if people become stranded. It is vital to review events of recent days to assess whether enough was done to avert such a disastrous outcome.
Heavy snowfall Jan. 25 caused a roughly 30-kilometer vehicle backup on the Shin-Meishin Expressway along sections straddling Mie and Shiga prefectures. Many vehicles were stuck for more than 20 hours.
Central Nippon Expressway Co., which operates the toll road, wanted to clear the expressway quickly but was unable to do so as snowplows initially were unable to gain access.
One factor behind the traffic jam was the closure of the Meihan Expressway, a national highway running parallel to the Shin-Meishin Expressway, which forced drivers to switch to using the Shin-Meishin.
It is possible that the decision to limit the expressway traffic and start operations to remove the snow was delayed. Late........
© The Asahi Shimbun
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