Prefabricated supporting bridging systems

As a nation with many rivers and ravines, Japan relies on a large number of bridges to ensure the delivery of essential services. Hitachi supplies two different prefabricated supporting bridging systems to the Japan Ministry of Defense for use when bridges are destroyed by natural disasters such as earthquakes or floods. The two bridges are suitable for different situations, with the Type 92 floating bridge (a prefabricated temporary floating bridge) being designed to float on a river and support vehicle traffic, while the Type 07 mobility support bridge (a prefabricated temporary span bridge) can span rivers or ravines without requiring piers. The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force uses these products for purposes that include civil defense training drills conducted by regional governments. In the Great East Japan Earthquake, a Type 92 floating bridge was used in ferry configuration to transport construction machinery to an island that had become isolated. With the prospect of civilian applications in mind, Hitachi intends to continue developing supporting bridge systems that can contribute to recovery work during disasters.