創発システム研究所 List of News Articles

In December 2022, we conducted an experiment to measure motorcycle traffic at the "Saigon River Tunnel" in Ho Chi Minh City. Below, we present a Q&A format. (For background, please refer to the article from November 4, 2022.) Q: How did you obtain the measuring equipment? A: We brought it in by hand-carry from Japan. We had heard of past troubles with bringing in such equipment, so we prepared customs documents, non-applicability certificates, and approval letters from the authorities in advance. (We were able to bring it in safely, but gathering the documents was very challenging!) Q: Did the measurements go well? A: We were affected by momentary power outages several times, but we achieved our initial objectives. As for the construction, the local contractors carried it out smoothly, so there were no issues. Q: What are the future developments? A: Based on the data obtained, we will develop a detection and measurement algorithm for motorcycles to clarify the traffic conditions at the Saigon River Tunnel. After that, we will propose an optimal ventilation control system that balances energy saving and improvement of the tunnel environment. The results of this development and research are planned to be presented at a science and technology seminar organized by the Vietnam Bridge and Road Association. (Scheduled for May 2023)

In October 2022, we traveled to Vietnam as part of a project commissioned by JICA to conduct a preliminary survey. The ultimate goal of this project is to implement our inverter ventilation control system in the "Saigon River Tunnel" located in Ho Chi Minh City. During this business trip, we conducted a preliminary field survey regarding motorcycle traffic volume as a preliminary step. Why measure motorcycle traffic volume? The reason is to use it as a parameter for optimal ventilation control. In Vietnam, there are many motorcycle users, and in enclosed spaces like tunnels, appropriate ventilation is essential from the perspective of CO concentration. Additionally, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in environmental considerations in the country, and energy-saving effects through inverter control are also anticipated. When we actually visited the site, it seemed common to see multiple motorcycles running parallel in a single lane (motorcycle-only). Our measurement system does not account for such complex traffic situations, which may become a development challenge in the future. Actual measurements are scheduled for December 2022. Stay tuned for further updates!

Latest! Exhibition Information!! We will be exhibiting at the "Construction Technology Exhibition 2022 Kinki." This year's exhibition features―― 　　【Thermal Image Detection Automatic Reporting System】 + 【Tunnel Monitoring System】 　THERMAL × VISUAL × VIRTUAL!! Detecting fires with infrared light, 　Monitoring tunnels with visual (visible light), 　　Training operators with simulated fires on monitors! This is a new proposal from the Emergent System Research Institute, so please come and check it out at the venue. Additionally, We have plenty of news about overseas expansion. Feel free to stop by. We look forward to meeting everyone!

――What did you present at the conference? We summarized in a paper that our ventilation inverter panel has been converted to a 2-level inverter, and that there is no difference in noise or operational performance compared to using a 3-level inverter. The presentation is structured around this paper, titled “A strong advance in variable-speed control of road tunnel jet fans.” ――Why do you use a 2-level inverter? Through verification, we found that a 2-level inverter can be used depending on the performance of the filter. While a 3-level inverter has a lower noise level compared to a 2-level inverter, it has the challenges of being limited in producers and being expensive. ――What else did you do besides the presentation? At the exhibition booth, I exchanged business cards with jet fan manufacturers and consulting companies, explained our business activities, and discussed future market needs. (Continued in 3/3!)

――I heard there was a discussion panel. The theme was whether the carbon costs associated with large-scale ventilation operations outweigh the safety benefits provided by that equipment. Various opinions were expressed, but the majority felt that we should still invest in safety benefits over environmental considerations. ――What is Brighton, the venue for the event, like? It is a resort town on the southern coast of England. Beautiful coastlines stretch infinitely, and the main street is lined with many restaurants and malls. A short walk away reveals a very beautiful town with historic Western-style buildings. Across the sea, numerous offshore wind turbines stand, which was quite impressive. ――Do you have any other episodes from this trip? We were treated to dinner by a couple of professors from the University of Dundee, with whom we have a close relationship. When we requested beef, they suggested Chinese, Japanese, Turkish, Moroccan, and Greek cuisines. It was surprising that there were no British restaurants among those all crowded together on the same street. The end.

In September 2022, our Sakohibiki participated in the International Symposium on Aerodynamics, Ventilation and Fire in Tunnels (ISAVFT) held in Brighton, England. ISAVFT is one of the international conferences focused on aerodynamics, ventilation, and fire in tunnels. It is held every two years, primarily in Europe. What kind of journey was it? We present it in an interview format. ――I heard there were some troubles. Yes (laughs). We received an email late the night before from the apartment management company saying that we couldn't check in because the payment hadn't been made. The next morning, we contacted our headquarters while trying to resolve the issue, but in the end, we couldn't check in! It was quite a challenge to find an alternative apartment and get settled... (Continued in 2/3)

Our Matsumoto has traveled to Graz, Austria on a business trip. (May 2022) What kind of journey was it? We present it in an interview format. (Previously... Matsumoto made a presentation at a conference on tunnel safety and ventilation.) ――How were the other presentations? The presentation by ASFiNAG, the Austrian highway corporation, was impressive. They have a goal to achieve self-sufficiency in electricity through solar power by 2030, and they are working on reducing energy consumption by 20%. Additionally, they plan to invest about 1 trillion yen over the next six years in sustainable maintenance of existing roads and facilities. ――What else did you do? The day after the conference, I visited ZaB (Zentrum am Berg). ZaB is an experimental tunnel located about an hour's drive from Graz, utilizing a vast former mining site. It has two simulated tunnels for roads and railways, as well as a tunnel used by the military. The simulated tunnels are equipped with facilities to start fires, allowing for realistic firefighting training. On that day, I was able to observe a simulated fire scenario. The end.

Our Matsumoto has traveled to Graz, Austria on a business trip. (May 2022) What kind of trip was it? We will present it in an interview format. (Previously... Matsumoto participated in "TUNNEL SAFETY AND VENTILATION.") ――What kind of event was it? It was a conference and exhibition focused on tunnel safety and ventilation. The participants were mainly from Europe, particularly the German-speaking countries. There were booths where wine could be enjoyed, creating an atmosphere of discussion while having fun. ――What did you present? I presented on the "Thermal Image Detection Automatic Reporting System," which was registered in NETIS this year. This system uses a dual camera that combines visible light and infrared light. In my presentation, I reported on related fire detection experiments and proposed a fire detection and monitoring system using this equipment. ――What was your overall impression of the event? Overall, there were many presentations regarding tunnel safety, with particularly active discussions on compressed hydrogen and compressed natural gas. There were also many presentations on verification using real data from simulations (such as CFD), and I felt that there is a demand for more realistic methods. To be continued.

Our Matsumoto has traveled to Graz, Austria on a business trip. (May 2022) What kind of journey was it? We will convey it in an interview format. [Matsumoto... Takuya Matsumoto, Ph.D. / Emergent Systems Research Institute / Development Department / Director] ――Please tell us the purpose of your trip. I attended the conference on tunnel safety and ventilation, “TUNNEL SAFETY AND VENTILATION,” organized by a professor from Graz University of Technology, with whom we have a close relationship. ――What kind of city is Graz? Graz is a historically beautiful city with World Heritage sites. Graz University of Technology, one of the leading technical universities in the country, has produced notable figures such as Nikola Tesla. ――Can you tell us about the road tunnel situation in Austria? I passed through several road tunnels, and like many other tunnels in Europe, they utilized transverse ventilation. At the entrance, traffic lights are installed for each lane, and in the event of an accident or fire, traffic regulations are enforced for each lane. Being a mountainous country, Austria has many tunnels, and I could feel the emphasis placed on the safety of road tunnels. To be continued.

The Japanese government's ODA project is constructing a road tunnel in the Nagdunga region of Nepal. Our company is involved in this project by providing a ventilation control system for the tunnel. We are currently working diligently on the introduction of the "ventilation measurement control panel," "ventilation interlocking panel," and "inverter ventilation power panel" (as of May 2022). Additionally, we have recently opened an office in the capital, Kathmandu, to promote the project. Our excellent Nepalese staff, well-versed in electrical engineering, is contributing to smooth communication with local stakeholders, including translation work. Thanks to the remote work system we established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we faced no resistance to setting up an office in such a remote location. —Turning adversity into fortune. Please keep an eye on our future activities!

At the Emergent Systems Research Institute, we have been exploring the overseas expansion of the "Inverter Ventilation Power Panel" since the 2019 fiscal year, utilizing subsidies from the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency. Last year, we targeted Australia and produced a test panel of the inverter ventilation power panel compliant with the country's industrial and service standards, the AS standards (Australian Standards). On March 17, 2022, we held an exhibition for promotion in Brisbane, Queensland. Participants included local state government officials, tunnel operation companies, design consultants, and experts related to ventilation equipment and infrastructure. On the day of the event, we not only provided verbal explanations but also conducted a demonstration by operating a small fan. There were challenging times due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as difficulties in procuring parts and concerns about holding the exhibition itself, but our efforts paid off, and we were able to achieve our goals successfully. We would like to express our gratitude to our supporting partners and everyone who cooperated with us. Moving forward, we will continue our sales activities targeting individual tunnel projects, armed with the AS standard certification we have obtained.

[NETIS Registration Number: KK-210075-A] The "Thermal Image Detection Automatic Reporting System," which detects fires using an infrared visible camera, has been registered with NETIS! This product is a system that automatically reports to the operator by determining a fire through image analysis of the heat detected by the infrared camera. By integrating fire detection and CCTV systems, which were previously separate structures, we can expect improvements in cost-effectiveness, safety, quality, and workability, as well as a reduction in installation time. We will propose optimal solutions to various customers in different fields, including the road tunnel sector, who face the challenge of wanting to detect fires early. First, please check the overview video from the related link below, and feel free to contact the Creative System Research Institute.