7th Japan Construction International Award Special Award (Pioneering Activity Category)

7th Japan Construction International Award

Pioneering Activity Category

To ensure the stable operation of the National CORS Data Center (NCDC) of Thailand, the Japanese experts transferred CORS technology to Thai government officers working for the NCDC. In addition, 8 pilot projects were conducted in collaboration with Japanese and local companies to accelerate the social implementation of high-precision positioning services. This activity improved the productivity of civil engineering works and other works in Thailand by enhancing the NCDC staff's capacity and increasing the visibility of high-precision GNSS positioning technology. The activity also paved the way for creating new businesses utilizing high-precision GNSS positioning technology in areas such as agriculture and autonomous driving.

Applicant:
PASCO CORPORATION
Kokusai Kogyo Co., Ltd.
JENOBA CO., LTD.
Period: From September 2020 to February 2024
Location: Bangkok, Thailand

As the first initiative regarding the operation of the CORS network and promotion of high-precision positioning services, the activity led to the stable operation of the NCDC and built the foundation for Japanese companies with high-precision GNSS positioning technology to expand into the Thai market.
Technology transfer was conducted by leveraging the technologies and expertise fostered by the Japanese public and private sectors for the operation and utilization of CORSs.
The 8 pilot projects in collaboration with Japanese and Thai companies helped promote Japan’s technologies and services while at the same time contributing to solving local social issues.

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To reinforce masonry buildings (buildings built by assembling stone or brick) that houses 60% of the global population, Aster Co., Ltd. has been working to make public facilities and houses more resistant to earthquakes, using the unique earthquake-resistant coating material it developed (Power Coating).
The company is carrying out a pilot project to make 40,000 school buildings in the Philippines earthquake-resistant in collaboration with a local syndicate-affiliated corporation.
To expand its business operations, Aster Co., Ltd. is undergoing a technical review to obtain certification from a local real estate developer.

Applicant: Aster Co., Ltd.
Period: From January 2019 to March 2030
Location:
Nepal, Kathmandu
Philippines, Manila, Ormoc
Taiwan, Taipei, Taichung

Aster Co., Ltd. has created a unique technological concept of "Power Coating." By providing this inexpensive, simple, and culturally adaptable quake-resistant technology, the company has helped developing countries overcome their disaster prevention challenges.
To extend its reach to a wider population from poor to middle-income individuals, the project team negotiated with the local municipality to provide incentives to the local residents for earthquake resistance renovation, such as a preferential interest rate system for housing mortgage loans.
Power Coating makes it possible to easily enhance earthquake resistance at a low cost. It has an enormous impact on increasing the resilience of local buildings

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The bridge inspection technology using infrared thermography that NEXCO-West has developed through its experience in Japanese expressway inspections has been introduced to the U.S. market.
NEXCO has sought to promote the technology using workshops and other opportunities, persistently demonstrating the technology's reliability through activities such as free pilot projects and research studies. The company has succeeded in gradually increasing the number of road administrators who adopt infrared thermography to streamline bridge inspection practices.
In California, NEXCO has provided its system for non-destructive bridge inspection vehicles jointly developed by the state government and university. The company has also provided technical training to state government officials, helping them create standard inspection procedures for California.

Applicant: NEXCO-West USA, Inc.
Period: From January 2011～(ongoing)
Location: United States of America / Washington, D.C.

NEXCO developed a footprint of around 100 projects in 14 states in the U.S., leading to the increased visibility of the technology.
The results of working on actual bridges have been published as technical papers and shared with local experts, road administrators, and others. These results demonstrated the technology's superiority and have been compiled into local guidelines for standard inspection procedures.
By leveraging the digital technology in which Japanese companies excel, NEXCO improved the processing of infrared data and high-resolution images, as well as the accuracy of data analysis, thus gaining advantage over local competitors. Also, by utilizing the knowledge that it has accumulated as a highway operator in Japan, the company identified potential causes of damage to bridges, proposed repair methodologies, and offered fine-tuned technical services.

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