Abstract
The purpose of this study is to obtain basic data for disaster prevention. We investigated effects of snow on evacuation facilities and evacuation activities. The results of field surveys showed that steps leading to outdoor evacuation sites could not be used due to the accumulation of snow. Doors at emergency exits could also not be used as they opened outwards and were blocked by snow. Estimations of evacuation time under conditions of accumulated snow on the ground showed that appropriate maintenance of the evacuation route is needed to ensure that an adequate walking speed can be maintained to the evacuation site. Snowfall regions must come up with their own countermeasures, such as establishing different evacuation sites in summer and winter.
