Investigation of Traffic and Evacuation Aspects at Kumamoto Earthquake and the Future Issues

Abstract

This study reports the results of the analysis of probe data, collected in the periods immediately before and after the foreshock in Kumamoto on April 14, 2016. Data were gathered under actual urban traffic conditions, and the traffic activity evaluated. The study also identifies any issues to be addressed in future, based on this analysis. The analytical results quantitatively show that movement from Fukuoka to central Kumamoto was impacted by closure of the Kyushu Expressway; it also shows that travel times during the day along alternative paths significantly increased, whilst congestion on highways decreased. The results show that locations such as shelters, supermarkets, and public baths were the beginning and end points of travel, thereby causing deviations from normal congestion patterns.