Japan is regularly affected by earthquakes and typhoons, and has some of the most stringent seismic design codes in the world. A number of other pacific rim countries also have similar high seismic risk. The typhoon risk is also high in South East Asia, and cyclones affect South Asia. Taking advantage of Japan’s experience in disaster planning, JICA has engaged KEI to undertake a number of projects to assist governments with their disaster planning.
Such studies include analysis of likely scenarios, study of design standards, and identification of key infrastructure (especially roads, bridges and lifelines such as power and water lines) at risk of damage. Countermeasures to better protect the key infrastructure are then proposed and costed.
In the Philippines, KEI performed several studies to assess damage susceptibility of the road network. Technology transfer programs were implemented to pass on skills in rapid damage assessment and the design of countermeasures.
In Thailand, KEI studied eight thousand kilometres of roads in order to formulate a road disaster prevention plan. High priority locations with a high susceptibility to damage were identified, and preliminary designs prepared for remedial measures.
