Temporary restoration project of BRT instead of restoring railways on Tsunami-hit regions by the Great East Japan Earthquake

Abstract

Abstract BRT(Bus Rapid Transit) has been provided as a temporary transport restoration project in the wake of the damage by tsunami accompanying the Great East Japan Earthquake, as much time would be required to restore lines to their original state. Issues included safe transport and integration with post-tsunami community planning. Existing bus service could not provide the same level of transportation services as railway in these regions and the assumption was that if this situation lasted long, it would have bad effects on reconstruction. This paper discusses the approach that JR East, with the purpose of contributing to the reconstruction by providing safe and convenient regional transportation services at early stages in those regions, has introduced BRT as a temporary restoration; operating on dedicated busways which had been rail lines before the tsunami. Furthermore, this paper discusses an enhanced level of convenience over previous railway operation, as well as JR East’s efforts to contribute to revitalization and reconstruction in those regions making good use of BRT. Also, based on JR East’s experience with BRT, this paper discusses what will be required of local public transportation in the future under the existing conditions.