EU TUNNEL RESEARCH PROGRAMMS

The EU currently funds 8 research projects on tunnels with a total amont of 17.41 MEuro. Those projects cover almost all items concerned with tunnel safety :

  • infrastructure (DARTS, UPTUN, FIT, SAFE-T)

  • operation (UPTUN, FIT, SAFE-T, VIRTUAL FIRES, SIRTAKI, EuroTAP*)

  • vehicles (SAFE TUNNEL)

  • user (SAFE-T, EuroTAP, SIRTAKI, UPTUN, FIT)

* EuroTAP(European Tunnel Assessment Programme) currently a proposal which is foreseen for the period 2005-2007.
No TITLE OBJECTIVES DURATION
1

Safety Improvements in Road/Rail Tunnels using advanced ITC and knowledge intensiveness
The strategic goal of SIRTAKI is the development and assessment of an advanced tunnel management system that specifically tackles safety issues and emergencies and the integration within the overall network management.
 2001-2004
2

Virtual Fires Simulator
The aim of the project is to develop a simulator that allows to train fire fighters in the efficient mitigation of fires in a tunnel, using a computer generated virtual environment. This will be a cheap and environmentally friendly alternative to real fire fighting exercises involving burning fuel in a disused tunnel. The simulator can also be used to test the fire safety of a tunnel and the influence of mitigating measures (ventilation, fire suppression etc.) on it's fire safety level.
  2001-2004
3

Durable and Reliable Tunnel Structures

The objective of DARTS is to develop operational methods and supporting practical tools for the best pro-active decision-making process for choosing, in each individual case, the cost optimal tunnel type and construction procedures regarding environmental conditions, technical qualities, safety precautions and long service life.
 2001-2004
4

Upgrading Methods for Fire Safety in Existing Tunnels
The UPTUN project main objectives are: To develop innovative  technologies where appropriate and  where relevant comparing to and the assessment of existing technologies for tunnel application. Focus is on technologies in the areas of detection and monitoring, mitigating measures, influencing human response, and protection against structural damage.
 2002-2006
5

European Thematic Network Fire in Tunnels

1.) The network has as main objective the dissemination of RTD and design results obtained in European and National RTD projects. The aim is to optimize research efforts, to reach critical mass and to enhance impact at European level by combining the results of the different projects.
2.)

FIT will establish a set of consultable database with essential knowledge on fire in tunnels.

http://www.etnfit.net/content/database/index.html
3.) A third common objective of the network members is to realize recommendations on design fires for tunnels.
4.) Consequently FIT has also the objective to develop European consensus for fire safe design on the basis of existing national regulation, guidelines, code of practices and safety requirements.
5.) The last objective is the definition of best practices for tunnel authorities and fire emergency services on prevention and training, accident management and fire emergency operations.
2001-2005
6

Thematic Network on Development of European Guidelines for Upgrading Tunnel Safety

To develop comprehensive guidelines for pan - European decision - making on the safety of existing tunnels (primarily road but also rail) by investigating, identifying, assessing and proposing best-practice solutions for :

 

(a) preventing incidents/accidents in existing tunnels and 

 

(b) mitigating their effects - for both people and goods - to ensure a high level of tunnel safety in Europe.

 2003-2006
7

Innovative systems and frameworks for the enhancing of traffic safety in road tunnels

SAFE TUNNEL Main Objective : To contribute to reducing the number of accidents inside road tunnels through PREVENTIVE safety measures"

Main Focus : "To achieve a dramatic reduction of FIRE ACCIDENTS which, although rare, are the most serious safety risk inside tunnels.

 2001-2004
8

European Tunnel Assessment Programme (EuroTAP)

EuroTAP will be based on four active measures and on one measure designed to co-ordinate and monitor the project. The following measures are foreseen :
  • Inspection of 150 tunnels,
  • Printing and distribution of 2.7 million EU leaflets,
  • Development of 150 web pages targeted to users,
  • Tunnel Audits,
  • Project Management, Co-ordination and Evaluation
 2005-2007