Experience with Significant Incidents in Road Tunnels
Overview
Background & policy context:
Approximately ten to fifteen years ago many countries introduced tunnel safety management systems and started paying attention to tunnel safety in a more structured way. PIARC report 2007/R07 recommended an integrated approach to tunnel safety. As a result of this, many countries have gained experience with the application of various tools for tunnel safety management. Experience with tunnel incidents and methods for incident evaluation and risk analysis have led to developments in organisation and management and to improvements in the systems in use.
Objectives:
In this report several contributing countries share information on lessons learned from incidents and developments in safety management and risk analysis and conclusions are drawn on topics of general interest.
Methodology:
The collection of data on significant incidents in road tunnels is carried out in a systematic manner in many countries. In this chapter the process of data collection is described. It has been noted that in practise, collecting all necessary data for a good evaluation leading to improving safety procedures or to produce incident statistics that can be used in risk analysis, is not easy and can be very time consuming. There can be a conflict in available and required resources for data collection. It is therefore important that the required data is clearly identified and that it is determined which data shall be collected by each party involved and at what time (immediately after incident or at a later stage). To keep parties involved motivated to contribute, the purpose of data collection has to be made clear to them and feedback on lessons learned and improved procedures and systems should be provided.
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