Safety and Disaster Prevention

Ensuring safe, reliable transport

To ensure passenger safety, we have proactively installed safety equipment including Automatic Train Control (ATC). Our commitment to passenger safety is also reflected in our conscientious daily maintenance and inspection work. In addition, our staff are carefully trained, in each and every work unit, to provide calm, quiet, quick and sure response to any unexpected event. We also conduct regular, comprehensive emergency drills.

Programmed Traffic Control (PTC) equipment, train operation displays, and earthquake alarm and wind-speed monitors constantly check train operating status, facilitating centralized control of trains, cars, electrical power, and other facilities, to ensure safe operation and prevent disasters.

Wind Speed Monitoring System at
the Integrated Control Center

Cab-Signal ATC(CS-ATC) Set-up

Automatic Train Control (ATC) is a system through which electronic information on the speed of each train is transmitted from the trains' instruments through the rails in order to ensure that trains do not exceed permitted speeds. If a train is traveling too fast, the system automatically activates the brakes so that the train slows to a speed in accordance with permitted speeds.

All lines use Cab Signal-ATC (CSATC), a system which improves operating efficiency by locating signal devices, which indicate the speed limit, in the driver's cab rather than alongside the tracks.

All trains running on the Namboku Line, the Fukutoshin Line and the Chiyoda Branch Line are fully automated using Automatic Train Operation (ATO) systems. Trains are operated automatically according to the operational pattern, which is pre-programmed into the trains' system, and information received from devices on the ground regarding train position.

A space for emergency drills in how to respond to earthquakes or train accidents has been created in a tunnel about 400 meters from the Ichigaya Station platform on the Yurakucho Line. We regularly perform comprehensive drills which assume a train has stopped in the tunnel between stations following a fire on board.

To prevent platform accidents involving passengers falling from platforms or coming into contact with moving trains, all stations on the Marunouchi Line, Namboku Line, Chiyoda Line between Ayase and Kita-ayase and Fukutoshin Line between Kotakemukaihara and Shibuya are equipped with automatic platform doors.

To guard against possible emergency situations, emergency stop buttons have been installed to signal trains of the need for emergency stops.

Tokyo Metro stations are equipped with a full-range of disaster-prevention equipment, from automated smoke and fire detectors, to emergency public address, smoke ventilation and fire-fighting equipment.

This equipment is centrally controlled from the Disaster Prevention Monitoring System which is located in each station office and which comprehensively monitors the station. In the event of a fire breaking out, systems are in place to take swift and well directed action to evacuate passengers and extinguish the fire.

Our major stations are equipped with emergency generators to ensure that emergency facilities are not deprived of electricity in the unlikely event of a power cut.

Following the Kobe Earthquake in 1995, we re-evaluated the seismic integrity of our stations and since then we have been implementing emergency seismic reinforcements to strengthen our station buildings and other structures. As of fiscal 2007, we had completed 94% of this work, excluding work on reinforcing single-pillar bridge supports.

In the event of an earthquake, the earthquake warning devices located at six locations within our network transmit seismic alert information to indicators at our Integrated Control Center. If an earthquake of over 100 gals* is either predicted from a P-wave or detected from an S-wave, the Automatic Train Control (ATC) system shuts down immediately, stopping all trains. The Integrated Control Center then immediately implements operational restrictions appropriate to the size of the earthquake. Inspections of our network are also carried out using information from localized seismometers at 33 different sites, making it possible to resume train operations rapidly on sections of the line where safety has been confirmed. We have also installed early earthquake warning devices that relay advance emergency warnings from the Japan Meteorological Agency. When these devices predict an earthquake, they send an “emergency stop” voice message to all trains allowing drivers to stop their train manually.

*A gal is a unit of acceleration used to express the strength of earthquake vibrations. 1 gal represents an increase in speed of 1 cm per second.

Earthquakes can case tsunami. Typhoons or other large storms can also cause flooding. To guard against these dangers, subway entrances are positioned higher than sidewalks wherever there is the danger of flooding, and station entrances are equipped with stop-flood boards to prevent water from entering subway stations and tunnels. When the Japan Meteorological Agency issues a heavy rain warning, remote controls are used to close rain-block doors for ventilation shafts. In case of major flooding, subway tunnels are also equipped with tunnel-flood prevention gates that completely seal off affected sections.

Stop-flood Board at
Station Entrance

Tunnel Flood Prevention Gate

Security cameras are installed in stations to prevent crime, fire and other natural disasters. We are implementing the installation of improved-function security cameras.