It essentially takes over and organizes the content of the 35 technical reports prepared by the Committee between 1995 and 2011, the twenty most recent articles published in Routes/Roads in tunnels and documents relating to the joint research project OECD/PIARC. It also refers to several useful sites.

This manual focuses exclusively on aspects related to the use of road structures (geometry, equipment and maintenance, operation, safety, environment). It does not address civil engineering tunnels (geology, geotechnical engineering, retaining walls, cladding, waterproofing, drainage, etc.). Except as regards its impact on the operation and maintenance works.

The Handbook has two main parts:

• the first part deals with cross-cutting aspects of tunnels;
• the second part deals with the characteristics of the tunnel in terms of operational requirements and security.