Evaluation techniques for traffic safety of operating highway tunnels

Abstract

With the consideration of frequent occurrence of traffic accidents on operating highway tunnels, the advancement of safety evaluation for highway tunnels in domestic and abroad are systematically summarized. Through the comprehensive analysis of infrastructure factors influencing on traffic safety of highway tunnels, safety checklists focusing on tunnel horizontal and vertical alignment, tunnel portal situation, pavement condition, ventilation and lighting facilities, traffic safety facilities are provided in qualitatively evaluating operating highway tunnels. Based on the concept of risk, risk assessment indices oriented in infrastructure factors, environmental factors and management factors for operation safety of expressway tunnels and standard highway tunnels are put forward. Quantitative evaluation methods based on indices architecture and the corresponding classification criteria for operation safety risk of tunnels are developed.