Why do coasters in Japan have walkways on track?

On recent viewing of my roller coaster tape and books, I realized something. All roller coasters in Japan and the far east have a kind of "access" walkway everywhere on the track. Sometimes it is on one side, then it uses a "crosstrack" path to get to the other side. Why is this here? Does it have to do with the earthquakes that can strand passengers? Is it to make track inspecting a lot more safer and easier? I think its a combo of the two, but thats just my guess.
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I do think it is a law for Japanese coasters to have the walkways.  I'm not sure why there is a law, though.  Safety?
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I also noticed that, and I can't stand it!  I also noticed that all steel coasters in Japan have the track config with the guide wheels on the outside of the track.

-Aaron

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http://www.coaster-mania.com

Earthquakes.

The only thing I can think of is that if there is an earthquake, even a minor one, that it MAY valley the train, and if it does, then at least the riders can get off at any point of the ride on their own..

 

Just a thought..

From what I know of Japanese coasters, you are correct in the earthquake synopsis.  However, there is a simpler, and much funnier reason that those walkways exist.  I didn't believe this until I saw it with my own eyes.  They use those walkways to wipe the tracks down after heavy rainstorms.  In July at Nagashima Spaland, I saw them doing this with the Steel Dragon.  I couldn't believe it.  They would run the coaster, and during calibrations, etc., they would be out there rubbing the tracks down in the valleys, and at specific points on the course.  VERY strange.  I am not saying that this is the reason for the walkways.  I think it is a number of things....the Japanese are over the top when it comes to safety.  Regardless, seeing this was a new experience for me.  My wife, who is Japanese, thought it was so nice of them to think about our safety like that.  HA!
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The Japanese are really safty minded.

There was what, 4 people killed last year in Japan.

Adverage American city has what, 150? More in the larger cities..

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-Nick Catalano