1. Report on 3-Year Plan for Improving Safety
  2. List of activities
  3. vol.07 The 50th anniversary of the opening of the Meishin Expwy.

Efforts in the 3-Year Plan for Improving Safety

Meishin Expwy which has supported the Japanese economy as an aorta connecting east and west
Fifty years since its opening, it has been a history of improving safety and convenience

Meishin played an important role in achieving Japan's economic growth
Before the opening of the Meishin Expwy (Meishin), most of the roads were gravel roads that were muddy and full of holes when it rained. On the other hand, the Japanese manufacturing industry was booming, and its production was increasing significantly due to the technological innovation that was progressing rapidly. However, the fragile road network was an obstacle, preventing transport capacity from keeping up with production capacity. Under these circumstances, one sentence in a report compiled by the American economist Ralph T. Watkins Investigation Team drove Meishin Construction. "Japanese roads are incredibly bad. No other industrialized country has ever so completely ignored its road network."

  • Before the opening of Meishin, the pavement rate on Japanese national roads was 21.9%, and on prefectural roads it was only 6%.

    Before the opening of Meishin, the pavement rate on Japanese national roads was 21.9%, and on prefectural roads it was only 6%.

The opening of Meishin was the beginning of Japan's motorization, and it was also the beginning of Japan's economic growth
The Meishin was built with the understanding and cooperation of the people who live along the railway, and to minimize the impact on people's lives and the natural environment such as forests. Japan's first intercity Expressway has reduced people's travel time and Large their range of action. In addition, the completion of Meishin was a factor that led to the improvement of the performance of Japanese cars. During the car driving tests conducted on the main line before the opening of the line, Japanese cars suffered a series of failures, but after the tests, each manufacturer immediately began making improvements and evolved into cars that could run stably even at high speeds. Since then, the number of vehicles owned in the country has started to increase, and freight transport by truck has rapidly increased. Actually, comparing the domestic cargo volume of Meishin before the opening of the whole line with that of 2009, the volume of freight transport in Japan has increased about three times, of which 64% has been accounted for by car transport. Japan's GDP also continued to rise steadily, in proportion to the traffic volume of Meishin, which continued to increase as it rose to the right, and increased about 14 times compared to 2012 when the whole line was opened. From its opening to the present day, Meishin has been supporting the development of the Japanese economy as Japan's main artery linking east and west.

  • Always check before departure and after returning to make sure there are no problems with the patrol car that should keep safety

    Domestic cars that were not built for high-speed driving suffered various problems such as overheating, noise, and vibration of unknown origin.

  • Changes in the number of vehicles owned (Source: Japan Automobile Inspection and Registration Information Association)

    Trends in car ownership
    (Source: Automobile Inspection Registration Information Association)

  • Domestic freight share

    Domestic freight share

  • Changes in Japan's GDP and traffic volume of Meishin

    Changes in Japan's GDP and traffic volume of Meishin

Another Aorta that Supported the Development of the Japanese Economy-Expressway and Shinkansen-

As an aorta connecting the east and west of Japan, Expressway and bullet trains have carried many people and things so far. Also, just as the traffic on the Expressway increased, the traffic on the Shinkansen has continued to rise. The remarkable development of the Japanese economy was the existence of these two arteries.

  • Changes in Shinkansen transport staff and Expressway use (Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)

    Changes in Shinkansen transportation personnel and Expressway usage
    (Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)

  • Meishin's time saving effect

    Meishin's time saving effect

Revitalizing the economy along the railroads with industry and tourism
The travel time between Komaki IC and Nishinomiya IC takes about 7 hours when using the general road, but it is reduced to about 2 hours 30 minutes when using the Meishin, and the flow of people and goods between each area is activated. You. At present, if the economic effect of this shortened time is converted into monetary value, it is equivalent to about 500 billion yen in one year (NEXCO CENTRAL study). In addition, companies have been expanding around the interchange one after another, and many tourists have visited the Expressway to support the development of the area. The aorta connecting the east and west, which developed the Japanese economy, also greatly contributed to the development of the area along the railway.

  • Meishin's time saving effect

    Meishin's time saving effect

  • In Komaki City, the gateway to the east of Meishin, the shipment value of manufactured products at the time of opening and in 2012 grew about 30 times, and the population less than 50,000 exceeded 140,000 became.

    In Komaki City, the gateway to the east of Meishin, the shipment value of manufactured products at the time of opening and in 2012 grew about 30 times, and the population less than 50,000 exceeded 140,000 became.

  • Changes in the population of Komaki City and the shipment value of manufactured goods

    Changes in the population of Komaki City and the shipment value of manufactured goods

Various technologies have been evolved from opening to the present so that customers can use it more safely, safely and comfortably.

Advanced maintenance technology for quick work
From the beginning of the opening of the Meishin, maintenance work was carried out using the latest systems and working vehicles of the latest technology. Fifty years after its opening, the functions and performance of work vehicles have evolved dramatically in order to carry out increasingly sophisticated and diversified work with the times.

■ Road sweeper
Using a high-speed rotating brush and a powerful suction machine, it collects pebbles and small car parts on the Expressway. Maintain an environment where you can drive safely by removing falling objects from the main line.

  • Road sweeper

    Two types of vehicles, brush type and vacuum type, were in operation at the beginning of opening.

    Current vehicles use a dry suction brush that incorporates the advantages of brush and vacuum systems. An LED signboard is also installed at the rear of the vehicle to alert the following vehicle.

■ Sign car
When regulating and working on Expressway, inform the following vehicles of the information on the information board etc. mounted on the vehicle to prevent accidents.

  • Sign car

    At the beginning of the opening, a board with letters was fixed on the truck bed to provide information to the following vehicles.

    Today, with the adoption of LEDs, it is possible to display various information, and it is easier to see.

  • Traffic counters, which are used to provide traffic information, are located below the road and on the side of the road.

    Traffic counters, which are used to provide traffic information, are located below the road and on the side of the road.

Information collection and provision technology with greatly improved accuracy and convenience
With the evolution of IT, the amount of information that can be collected and processed on Expressway has increased compared to when it was first opened. The traffic control center processes information, including a traffic counter that measures the number and speed of vehicles running on the Expressway, a CCTV camera that can check the traffic flow and road surface conditions in real time, as well as rainfall and road surface temperature. By gathering a lot of information from meteorological observation stations that measure the weather, we can now understand the situation in various places in detail. In this way, information boards are also evolving to provide more information that is easy for customers to use safely. Evolving from roll-type information boards used at the beginning of opening to lightning-type and now to LED-type, various expressions are possible, and the quality and quantity of information that can be provided to customers is greatly improved. doing.

  • Traffic counters, which are used to provide traffic information, are located below the road and on the side of the road.

    Traffic counters, which are used to provide traffic information, are located below the road and on the side of the road.

  • Left: Roll type information board Right: LED type information board

    There were only a few types of content that could be displayed on a roll-type information board, but the LED information board can now display the necessary information for each route using seven colors.

  • Left: Road control center at the time of opening Right: Current road control center

    At the time of opening, the Traffic Control Center used hand-drawn drawings to understand the road conditions, but now it is possible to manage a variety of information with a large monitor.

Advancements in toll collection systems that also helped alleviate congestion
At the beginning of the opening, a punch card system was adopted as a toll collection system so that a fee-based fare system in which fees are added according to the distance can be operated smoothly. Then, Expressway that the amount of information to be processed increases the interchange with the stretching of has increased, the need of such possible to improve the security, in 1988 has been migrated to the magnetic card system from the punch card system. However, both had to stop once at the time of payment, which contributed to the occurrence of traffic congestion. Therefore, an ETC (automatic toll collection system) was introduced, which allows payment of tolls while traveling at a speed of 20 km / h or less. Operation began in 2001, and as of March 2015, more than 90% of customers who use Expressway use ETC. ETC was installed at the interchange, which eliminated traffic congestion at toll gates and reduced traffic accidents.

  • In the punch card system, a card with a car type and an interchange number was issued at the toll booth at the entrance, and the pattern of the hole was read by an exit machine.</p> <p>In the magnetic card system, the amount of information that can be handled has been increased by replacing the information processed by drilling with magnetism. This method is still used today.

    In the punch card system, a card with a car type and an interchange number was issued at the toll booth at the entrance, and the pattern of the hole was read by an exit machine.

    In the magnetic card system, the amount of information that can be handled has been increased by replacing the information processed by drilling with magnetism. This method is still used today.

  • In ETC, vehicles and tollgate systems exchange necessary information using wireless communication, so that vehicles can pass through tollgates while traveling at speeds of 20 km / h or less.

    In ETC, vehicles and tollgate systems exchange necessary information using wireless communication, so that vehicles can pass through tollgates while traveling at speeds of 20 km / h or less.

  • In ETC, vehicles and tollgate systems exchange necessary information using wireless communication, so that vehicles can pass through tollgates while traveling at speeds of 20 km / h or less.

    In ETC, vehicles and tollgate systems exchange necessary information using wireless communication, so that vehicles can pass through tollgates while traveling at speeds of 20 km / h or less.

Advanced pavement technology makes rainy days safer and reduces noise

At the Meishin Expwy Laboratory (now the Expressway Research Institute), which was founded in 1957, we have been conducting research on pavement, and by introducing new pavement technology, we have realized a road that is easier to drive. In 1998, high-performance pavement with high drainage and quietness was fully adopted.

  Normal pavement that was mainly used from the opening to the 1990s High-performance pavement currently used mainly
Drainage

The structure has a high density of materials and few gaps inside the road surface. Rainwater easily accumulates on the road surface, which causes visibility deterioration and road slippage due to water splashing.

By using a material with more gaps while maintaining the strength, drains rainwater on the road surface, reduces visibility deterioration due to water splash, and reduces road slippage.

quietness

Since there is no gap on the road surface, air pumping noise during traveling (sound generated when air enters between the road surface and the tire groove and is repeatedly compressed and released during each rotation) is generated.

Since there are many gaps on the road surface, the volume of the air pumping noise is reduced because the air between the tires and the road surface is not easily compressed.

Normal pavement that was mainly used from the opening to the 1990s High-performance pavement currently used mainly
Drainage

The structure has a high density of materials and few gaps inside the road surface. Rainwater easily accumulates on the road surface, which causes visibility deterioration and road slippage due to water splashing.

By using a material with more gaps while maintaining the strength, drains rainwater on the road surface, reduces visibility deterioration due to water splash, and reduces road slippage.

quietness

Since there is no gap on the road surface, air pumping noise during traveling (sound generated when air enters between the road surface and the tire groove and is repeatedly compressed and released during each rotation) is generated.

Since there are many gaps on the road surface, the volume of the air pumping noise is reduced because the air between the tires and the road surface is not easily compressed.

In order for Meishin to continue to play its role as Japan's main artery

Four inspections conducted to confirm the soundness of structures and equipment
In order to use Expressway safely, securely and comfortably, it is important to check that the structures and equipment are sound. For this purpose, NEXCO CENTRAL conducts inspections based on the standards set by the government, setting the necessary frequency and timing according to the structure.

■ Initial inspection
We perform close visual inspection and hammering inspection to understand the condition of earthwork structures such as slopes, concrete retaining walls, and embankments after the completion of the Expressway.

  • Visual inspection of the slope

    Inspection of the slope by close visual inspection

■ Daily inspection
In order to quickly find the areas where repairs are required, we check for structural changes such as the slopes on the inspection vehicles and road surface irregularities, and get off if necessary, and inspect them.

    Inspection of steps at road joints

    Inspection of steps at road joints

■ Regular inspection (Detailed inspection)
In order to discover all the deformations, we will conduct a tapping inspection of the wall inside the tunnel, palpation of each facility such as a jet fan, and tapping and visual inspection of structural materials. Use a bridge inspection vehicle to approach the object, or use rope access technology to move using a rope.

  • Inspection of concrete slabs (members directly receiving the load of the car) by bridge inspection vehicles

    Inspection of concrete slabs (members directly receiving the load of the car) by bridge inspection vehicles

  • Inspection of piers with rope access

    Inspection of piers with rope access

■ Temporary inspection
This is performed when it is difficult to respond to the daily inspection follow-up, when the weather is abnormal, or when supplementing each inspection.

  • If the concrete is peeled off or the corrosion of the reinforcing steel is left for a long time, the strength cannot be maintained.

    If the concrete is peeled off or the corrosion of the reinforcing steel is left for a long time, the strength cannot be maintained.

Repair technology continually polished to protect safe, secure and comfortable traffic
Deterioration due to aging due to the passage of 50 years from the opening, increase in the number of passing vehicles and enlargement of vehicles, passage of overloaded vehicles, and salt damage by spraying sodium chloride to prevent road surface freezing, Damage such as rust, peeling of concrete under the floor slab, cracking of pavement, and rutting. To ensure that customers can use the Expressway with peace of mind, we will quickly detect damage and perform optimal repairs for each damage.

■ Floor slab waterproofing
A waterproof layer is installed on the floor slab to prevent rainwater intrusion that may cause performance degradation.

  • Floor slab waterproofing

■ Partial replacement
We remove damaged concrete part of floor slab and restore strength by pouring new concrete.

  • Partial replacement

■ Floor slab top surface thickening method
Concrete is spliced on the upper surface of the thin slab to increase the thickness of the slab and improve the yield strength.

  • Floor slab top surface thickening method

■ Cutting overlay method
A good condition can be restored by shaving off the pavement with cracks and rutting.

  • Cutting overlay method

Reinforcement measures for deregulation of gross vehicle weight in 1993

In 1993, the gross vehicle weight per vehicle was eased from 20 tons to 25 tons, and as vehicles became larger, the burden on structures such as roads and bridges increased. Therefore, focusing on bridges designed to allow vehicles with a total weight of 20 tons to travel, the necessity and priority of load capacity and durability improvement were determined, and the thickness of floor slabs was increased according to the degree of damage, Measures have been taken to reinforce the bridge girder.

  • At Ibigawa Bridge in Meishin, the construction of the upper surface of the bridge slab was carried out in 1996.

    At Ibigawa Bridge in Meishin, the construction of the upper surface of the bridge slab was carried out in 1996.

  • Annual traffic regulations

    Annual traffic regulations

Centralized construction that reduces the number of traffic regulations by repairing them in a short period of time
In recent years when the traffic volume has increased, regular traffic control can be a nuisance to customers. Therefore, from 1991, Meishin has introduced an intensive construction method that performs repair work in a short period of time. The number of traffic regulations can be reduced by about 40% per year compared to performing individual works, contributing significantly to the reduction of traffic congestion.

Intensive construction https://www.c-nexco.co.jp/corporate/safety/torikumi/torikumi/vol01/

  • Annual traffic regulations

    Annual traffic regulations

We start large-scale renewal, large-scale repair business in Meishin who used inspection and repair repeatedly carefully

50 years since the opening of the Meishin. As traffic continued to increase, we regularly inspected and repaired it so that it could function as an aorta connecting east and west. However, due to the deterioration over time caused by the age of 50 years, the increase in vehicle weight due to the deregulation of the gross vehicle weight, the use of sodium chloride for snow and ice measures, and the ever-increasing traffic volume, the road surface and facilities are accumulating considerable damage. You. NEXCO CENTRAL will launch large-scale renewals and repairs in 2015 to solve these situations in a wide-ranging and radical manner. The construction will take a long time, traffic regulation such as face-to-face traffic and detours will be required, and congestion is expected, causing inconvenience and inconvenience, but we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

  • Of the Expressway in use as of March 2015, about 60% of the expressways have been in operation for more than 30 years.

    Of the Expressway in use as of March 2015, about 60% of the expressways have been in operation for more than 30 years.

  • The traffic of heavy vehicles is increasing, and structures such as bridges are being damaged.

    The traffic of heavy vehicles is increasing, and structures such as bridges are being damaged.

  • To prevent freezing of the road surface in winter, spraying sodium chloride on the road causes damage to the bridge slab.

    To prevent freezing of the road surface in winter, spraying sodium chloride on the road causes damage to the bridge slab.

Various economic effects are expected to complete the double networking of Meishin and Shin-Meishin Expressway

  • Double networking of Meishin and Shin-Meishin Expressway has been realized in some sections.

    Double networking of Meishin and Shin-Meishin Expressway has been realized in some sections.

NEXCO CENTRAL is currently building a Shin-Meishin Expwy (Shin-Meishin Expressway). In 2008, the part between Kusatsu JCT and Kameyama JCT was opened and a detour route for Meishin was established. As a result, traffic congestion during intensive construction was reduced by 24%, and before the opening of the road, the average of 12 road closures a year between Kusatsu JCT and Toyota JCT due to an accident or snowfall was slightly reduced due to two routes. The number has decreased dramatically to less than two times (aggregation period: March 2008 to August 2012). In addition, the Shin-Meishin Expressway contributes greatly to alleviating traffic congestion due to the dispersion of Meishin traffic and reducing travel time. And if the Shin-Meishin Expressway of NEXCO CENTRAL jurisdiction opens in 2018, the congestion of the Higashi-Meihan Expwy is expected to disappear, and the movement of goods and people will be active not only between Chubu and Kansai but also throughout Japan, as an economic effect Has high expectations.

We distribute "Meijin whole line opening 50th anniversary SPECIAL BOOK" which is useful for driving

  • 50th anniversary of the Meishin Line

In the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Meishin Line, the Special Book features stories of former employees involved in the construction of the Meishin Expwy, voices of employees who are currently working at the site, and guides along the lines that are useful for Meishin's unknown trivia and driving. I am. It is also distributed on the Tokai area Expressway SA and PA, so please take a look at it.

50th anniversary of the Meishin Line
https://www.c-nexco.co.jp/corporate/safety/torikumi/torikumi/vol07/pdf/meishin_50th_book.pdf