Technical aspects of the railway avalanche prevention forest along the Soya Line between Kenbuchi and Shibetsu

Abstract

This paper describes the development of the railway avalanche prevention forest along the Soya Line between Kenbuchi and Shibetsu, a forest that in 2005 was designated a “ civil engineering heritage” by the Japan Society of Civil Engineers, and outlines the technical aspects of that forest. The history of “ railway forests”(forests owned by railway companies) in Hokkaido is discussed as it relates to the abovementioned avalanche prevention forest. The paper examines the historical significance of the designated avalanche prevention forest, covering the history of railway forests in Hokkaido from plantation planning at the end of Meiji Era and the history of the Japan Railway companies.