On June 6, 2006, NTT DATA Corp., NTT East Corp., and NTT West Corp. plan to launch field trials to determine the effectiveness of a system that relies on e-mail services to deliver disaster-related information to citizens. The trials will be implemented with the cooperation of two municipalities: Kumano City in Mie Prefecture and Minami-Sanriku Town in Miyagi Prefecture.

Reliably transmitting disaster-related information to all affected citizens is essential. The trials will focus on issues of a general administrative and operational nature, including specifics and timing for the optimal provision of information and the grouping of targets for information distribution, and will also evaluate the ease of gathering information with cell phones and other mobile communications tools.

Additionally, they will look at methods for the fast, reliable delivery of disaster-related information using dedicated networks independent from those for regular email services, thereby averting the mail delivery delays associated with spikes in access when disasters strike.

1. Background

Rural municipalities and other public bodies at the local level have been active in adapting disaster prevention efforts to the unique features of their regions in order to protect their citizens from injury and the loss of life and property in the event of an earthquake, flooding, or other natural disaster. Investigating modalities for the timely provision of varied types of disaster-related information to citizens is one of the key challenges they face in this undertaking.

As a supplement to existing official emergency radio broadcasting, e-mail based information systems are attracting more attention as a means of getting emergency information out to citizens. However, one problem with conventional e-mail networks is the risk of delays in distribution stemming from sudden surges in network traffic whenever a disaster or other emergency situation arises. This scenario thus calls for more reliable mechanisms of information distribution.

In light of this state of affairs, Kumano City (Mie Prefecture), Minami-Sanriku Town (Miyagi Prefecture), NTT DATA Corporation, NTT East Corporation, and NTT West Corporation will work together to implement field trials of a new system for effectively delivering comprehensive disaster-related information to the public.

2. Overview of Field Trials

1. Overview
   
   The trials will involve distributing e-mail to trial participants. Participants will access a specified website from a link included in that email, and will be able to utilize features of the linked website to obtain more detailed information, provide information on their own safety and well-being, and enter simple responses to a series of questions.
   
   The disaster information system (as illustrated in the attached system diagram) for use in these trials will utilize a testing center in Tokyo. Administrators for the participating municipalities will be able to access the testing center through the Internet and confirm mail delivery to and replies from trial participants.



2. Implementation details (examples)
   
   
   • Several times weekly, distribute e-mail containing disaster-prevention tips.
   • Distribute to citizens by e-mail the same messages included in disaster prevention radio communications.
   • During the trial period, distribute different forms of e-mail messages, such as voluntary evacuation advisories.
   • Distribute e-mail danger alerts in line with scenarios utilized for disaster drills.
3. Matters for examination
   
   (a) Identification of administrative and operational issues relating to the accurate and reliable dissemination of information
   (b) Identification of issues relating to trial system functionality and ease of use for participants
   (c) Opinion survey of local residents regarding the trials



4. Trial period
   
   June 6, 2006 (Tue.) to September 1, 2006 (Fri.)



5. Trial venues
   
   Kumano City, Mie Prefecture
   Minami-Sanriku Town, Miyagi Prefecture



6. Participants
   
   Residents, public administrators, and other citizens in Kumano City and Minami-Sanriku Town
   
   * Fifty individuals from each community at the beginning of the trials, for a total of approx. 100 participants, with more to be added as necessary
   * Participants in each municipality to be selected on a volunteer basis.
   

3. Municipal and Company Roles

Kumano City, Minami-sanriku Town
• Participation of public administrators and citizens in field trials

NTT DATA
• System development and administration
• General trial planning, formulation, and operational support
• Questionnaire survey-based evaluations

NTT East, NTT West
• Evaluation of system effectiveness via questionnaire-based survey
• Identification of specific issues for system development

4. Future Developments

After the trials, criteria including system operability, ease of use, and technological advantage will be evaluated. Drawing from these findings, continued study will be focused on reliable modalities for the dissemination of disaster-related information in the interest of enhancing the safety and peace of mind of citizens in the communities of Kumano and Minami-Sanriku.

NTT DATA, NTT East, and NTT West will continue to actively develop and recommend systems geared to the utilization of information and communications technology for disaster prevention purposes at the municipal level. NTT DATA, moreover, will perform additional trials in the future and endeavor to commercialize the systems it develops on that basis.


Attachment : Illustration of Disaster Information System