Building Resilient Railways - JICA and TCDD Collaborate for Safer Transport Systems

On May 13, 2025, JICA and the Turkish State Railways (TCDD), together with Japanese experts, held a seminar in Ankara to present the results of the Data Collection Survey for Enhancing Disaster Resilience of the Turkish State Railways. Initiated after the devastating February 2023 earthquakes, the survey aims to support Türkiye’s efforts in rebuilding a safer and more resilient railway system.

The February 2023 earthquakes severely damaged railway lines in southeastern Türkiye. In response, JICA launched a survey project in cooperation with TCDD and Japanese Railway specialists to assess current vulnerabilities and pilot monitoring technologies adapted to Türkiye’s natural conditions.

The survey introduced trial systems for monitoring slope failures, rockfalls, floods, and sinkholes that frequently impact railway safety. These systems were developed and tested at selected sites, helping TCDD explore practical applications for early warning and emergency response.

The seminar brought together representatives from TCDD, Embassy of Japan, JICA, and Japanese consultants. Participants shared survey findings and explored future directions for integrating disaster risk reduction into rail operations and planning.

This cooperation reflects JICA’s long-term commitment to disaster-resilient infrastructure and its support for Türkiye’s post-earthquake recovery. By combining local knowledge with international expertise, the project marks an important step toward building safer transport systems for all.

JICA will continue working closely with Türkiye to explore future collaborations that help protect lives, strengthen public systems, and enhance regional resilience.