2026 Volume 5 Issue 1 Pages 57-65
In recent years, bridge deterioration has become a pressing issue in Japan, particularly for local governments facing a shortage of civil engineers. This study implemented a simplified bridge inspection in Tsubata Town with the participation of local residents, aiming to assess deterioration and examine the reliability of their evaluations. An inspection checklist originally developed by Nihon University was modified by the National Institute of Technology, Ishikawa College, enabling residents to evaluate damage and contamination by comparing observed conditions with reference photographs.
In response to the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, a new indicator, the “Stiff Back Index,” was introduced to evaluate potential step formation behind bridge abutments. The relationship between this index and settlement values obtained from surveying was analyzed. In addition, previously developed indices—the “Toothbrush Index” (surface contamination), “Health Index” (abutment and pavement conditions), and “Rough Skin Index” (deck deterioration) were applied to track annual deterioration trends.
Following the activities, a questionnaire survey was conducted to assess changes in disaster awareness and recognition of bridge maintenance. The results indicate that community-based bridge inspections are not only feasible but also effective in raising local awareness of infrastructure management. Moreover, continuous implementation of such initiatives contributes to both technical data collection and disaster preparedness, highlighting their significance for sustainable regional infrastructure maintenance.
