Performance of Transportation Systems during the 2004 Niigata Ken Chuetsu, Japan, Earthquake

Abstract

With the possible exception of the Shinkansen railway, transportation structures for the most part performed well in the Niigata Ken Chuetsu earthquake. There were no collapses. The damage appeared limited and repairable, indicating generally good performance despite the severe ground motions in the epicentral region. The reconnaissance team visited every bridge structure crossing the Uono and Shinano rivers in the epicentral region. All but two of the highway bridges inspected were open for at least limited traffic, and those two appeared to be open for emergency vehicles. Significant damage was observed on the Shinkansen high-speed railway, as well as on some local railway lines, but all appeared repairable. A historic first was the earthquake's derailment of a high-speed Shinkansen train.