Section4 Increasing the Efficiency of Administration and Road Management

National Highway No. 112 ("Gassan Road") connects Yamagata City and Sakata City in Yamagata Prefecture and is prone to landslide damage. The road has been patrolled to prevent disasters. To supplement such control systems, the Sakata Branch Work Office of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is developing more advanced road management system that uses optical fiber strain gauges to monitor deformations of road structures. Optical fiber strain gauges, which are attracting attention as a new measuring and monitoring technology for large areas, are characterized by 1) continuous real-time monitoring, 2) the ease of remote control, 3) linear and two-dimensional monitoring, and 4) durability. Sensors have been installed on Asahi No. 1 and No. 2 Tunnels along National Highway "Gassan Road" (No. 112) and are used for monitoring strain.

Studies are being conducted to effectively utilize new road monitoring technologies, such as optical fiber strain gauges, to supplement patrolling.