Overview
To reduce the severity of injury in an impact on tunnel niches or tunnel portals different protection measures are possible. These are defined in the RVS 09.01.24 (Tunnel niche) and in the RVS 09.01.25 (tunnel portals). However, in reality the installation differs from the RVS especially in tunnel niches. To prevent severe injuries different protection measures (crash cushions, concrete crash barriers, guardrails, etc.) are taken into consideration. However, there are no scientific assessments present of the effectiveness of the different protection measures.
The goal of the study BENCHMARK is the assessment of the injury risk of the different protection measures including economic aspects such as installation, maintenance, replacement in case of damage, etc. Since the tunnel niche is not shielded according to the requirements of the RVS due to limited available space the study should evaluate boundary conditions for optimized protection. Different approach will be used in the study. In finite element simulations the different protection measures will be assessed in a parameter study. Different impact angle at a collision speed of 100 km/h and a TB11 vehicle, in accordance with the requirements of EN 1317 will be simulated. The impact angle is based on theoretical considerations and real accident analyses.
From the simulations, critical and optimum installation conditions for the protection measures should be identified. The simulations should provide boundary conditions for the experiments. The protection measures will be tested experimentally. As assessment functions in the simulation and in the experiments ASI, THIV and HIC are used. The results for the individual protection measures will be summarized and compared. The boundary conditions for optimized protection will be described.