Developed “Highway Delta” disaster prevention product to replace large sandbags

Taiyo Kogyo Corporation

(Tokyo Head Office: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; Osaka Head Office: Yodogawa-ku, Osaka; President: Yumi Nomura), a manufacturer of large membrane surface structures (tent structures), civil engineering and logistics materials, and other products, has started manufacturing Highway Delta, a large temporary water storage container to replace sandbags to support rapid recovery in the event of a road disaster. (Head office: Hachioji City, Tokyo; President: Tomohito Kawai), and has begun production. The “Highway Delta” will be marketed by Central Japan Highway Maintenance Chuo Co., Ltd. to companies and municipalities that undertake road maintenance and repair work throughout Japan from January 2023.

(left) at the time of the disaster, (right) after the highway delta was installed and restored *Photographs are images.

Landslides, mudslides, landslides, and other landslides have been on the rise in recent years. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the average annual number of landslide disasters in the 10 years to 2021 has increased 1.3 times compared to the previous 10 years (landslides in 2021 / Erosion Control Department, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism). When such landslides occur on road slopes, it is necessary to prevent further mud and stones from entering the road after emergency measures such as soil removal. The “Highway Delta” is a large, temporary water barrier to prevent such muddy water and stones from entering the road. It is a long triangular bag made of highly waterproof sheets that can be stretched out and filled with water to form a strong water bag. As an alternative disaster prevention tool to conventional sandbags (ton-packs), it is lightweight, compact, foldable for storage, easy to move, and quick to set up. It can be used over and over again, making it environmentally and resource friendly.

Based on our “Delta Tube” flood prevention product, this product was improved over about 18 months in cooperation with Central Japan Highway Maintenance Central Co. The triangular shape of the product has been revised, and it has been commercialized equipped with arrow reflectors and protective mats that make it easier to recognize the direction of the road and other items needed on the side of the road.

(1) Portability
Compared to the conventional method (installation of large sandbags), it can be transported to the site in a stowed state.

(2) Labor-saving
Heavy equipment is required to install large sandbags, but not for Highway Delta.
No need for round-trip transportation
Installation of one unit can be completed in 15 minutes by four workers.
*When using a water sprinkler truck from Central Japan Highway Maintenance Central

Reusable
In the case of sandbags, they may be damaged and sediment may be scattered when they are removed.
If bags for snow and ice salt (sodium chloride, etc.) are used, waste disposal may be required after removal.

(4) Safety of road users
In the case of large sandbags, there is a high possibility that a collision will result in a major accident. Highway Delta can mitigate the impact of a collision due to the use of waterbags.

Product: Highway Delta
Sold by: Central Japan Highway Maintenance Central Co.
Specifications: Height 1.1m x Width 1.2m x Length 6m Weight 40kg/unit Capacity 4.5m3
Material: Base fabric: 100% polyester, Coating resin: polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
Development: Central Japan Highway Maintenance Central Corporation/Taiyo Kogyo Corporation
Manufactured by: Taiyo Kogyo Corporation

Taiyo Kogyo is a “leading company of membrane structures” that aims to support the safety and security of society and contribute to the realization of affluent lifestyles for people. Taking advantage of the characteristics of light and strong materials, Taiyo Kogyo is expanding its products into various construction businesses symbolized by the roofs of giant domes, as well as into civil engineering, logistics, and even the environmental field. In recent years, in particular, the company has been attracting public attention for its emergency response to the many disasters that have occurred in various regions, as well as for its medical tents used to combat the new type of coronas.

Official website: https://www.taiyokogyo.co.jp/

Press photos can be downloaded here.

Public Relations Department, Taiyo Kogyo Corporation Phone: 06-6306-3033
Takatani (080-4017-4670)/Kagejima (090-2147-4572)

Taiyo Kogyo develops, manufactures, and sells a wide range of flood countermeasure equipment for emergency situations, from city streets to riverside areas. The “Highway Delta” is a new road disaster countermeasure product developed by applying the “Delta Tube” (see photo below), a flood prevention tool that replaces sandbags.