News

Rikei Corporation (Head Office: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, President & CEO: Tetsuo Kuroda, hereafter “Rikei”) would like to announce that it has delivered the mostly self-designed “Disaster Information Management System” using the 4.9 GHz wide-area wireless LAN to the Tomigusuku city hall (Mayor: Haruki Gibo) located in Okinawa Prefecture.

Background

The city of Tomigusuku, with a population of approximately 60,000, is located in the southern part of Okinawa island as well as located in areas adjacent to both Naha Airport and the city of Naha, the capital city of Okinawa. Because of its great accessibility, the city is currently experiencing a significant increase in population, resulting in the overall steady growth of the city.

In the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake hit Tohoku, the city attached great importance to disaster prevention/mitigation and started the development of disaster-resistant communications facilities in fiscal year 2013 as part of improving the city’s infrastructure.

The aim of the “Disaster Information Management System” mostly designed by Rikei and delivered to Tomigusuku is to establish a wireless network that connects locations such as the city hall, fire department, community centers, elementary schools, junior high schools, kindergartens, and nursery schools so as to allow residents and tourists to be informed of disaster information through a variety of transmission methods. The system is highly valued mainly for its capability of 4.9 GHz wide-area wireless LAN with strong resistance to disasters and was decided to be adopted.

System summary

The “Disaster Information Management System” delivered to Tomigusuku is designed and built to be a private network system covering the whole city using the 4.9 GHz wide-area wireless LAN.

Previously in Tomigusuku, disaster-related and other administrative information was transmitted by means of the municipal digital disaster management radio communications and emergency vehicles. With this “Disaster Information Management System” offering enhanced communications ways even in emergency situations, both disaster information from J-Alert and evacuation instructions from the city can be transmitted to community centers, elementary schools, junior high schools, kindergartens, and nursery schools as well as to registered mobile email addresses. In addition, disaster information can also be collected from cameras installed in coastal areas and emergence vehicles. Further, disaster information can be checked later by phone or email or on the website, making the system independent of public networks and more resistance to disasters.

Features

1. IP-based audio system (Expanding the broadcasting system)
   To supplement the municipal disaster management radio communications, the IP-based audio system was connected to a total of 104 new and existing outdoor loudspeakers placed in community centers, gathering spaces, elementary schools, junior high schools, kindergartens, and nursery schools. To communicate with these locations, the wide-area wireless LAN is used.
   The audio information transmitted via the IP-based audio system is stored in a telephone answering system and in a web page to allow anyone to listen to such information later when needed by calling a designated number or clicking the link sent to registered email addresses.
   Easy-to-operate, touch panel broadcasting units are installed in the city hall and fire department, from both of which disaster information can be transmitted. In addition, disaster information can also be remotely transmitted from the central community center and a portable broadcasting unit.
2. Surveillance cameras
   Surveillance cameras are placed in 7 locations mainly in coastal areas, which are connected to the city hall and fire department through the wide-area wireless LAN for remote control and monitoring.
3. Emergency vehicle
   The emergency vehicle is equipped with a wide-area wireless LAN antenna designed to be automatically directed toward strong signals, enabling phone calls from remote locations using an IP phone installed in the vehicle.
4. Wi-Fi hotspot
   A Wi-Fi hotspot to which smartphones and tablets can connect is available at Okinawa Road Station “Toyosaki.” In the event of disasters, disaster information posted on the official website of Tomigusuku can be accessed via Wi-Fi.
5. IP phone system
   An IP phone system was built to connect locations such as community centers, gathering spaces, elementary schools, junior high schools, kindergartens, and nursery schools which are to be used as temporary shelters when a disaster strikes. The use of private network enables smooth communications even in the event of public network congestion.
6. Automatic linkage with J-Alert
   When information is transmitted by J-Alert, such information is automatically transmitted to community centers, gathering spaces, elementary schools, junior high schools, kindergartens, and nursery schools via indoor and outdoor loudspeakers and is also automatically sent to mobile phones and smartphones of registered members as Area Mail or early warnings.

Future Plans

By leveraging this experience and fully taking into account the characteristics of each region, we will continuously promote and build disaster information management systems for local governments to contribute to society in the disaster prevention field.

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