Welcome on piarc.org!

PIARC (World Road Association), founded in 1909 and comprising 125 member governments from all over the world, is the global forum for exchange of knowledge and experience on roads, road transport policies and practices. With consultative status to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, the Association is contributing to a stable and sustainable global development of the road and transport sector.

This site uses cookies to optimize its operation. They allow you to securely access your personal space and download our publications. You accept their use by clicking on the "Accept" button.

Assessing and improving safety in existing road tunnels

This report provides guidelines for a step-by-step process for the development of a safety upgrade programme for existing road tunnels, ensuring that the required safety levels are achieved. The report represents the work of PIARC Technical Committee C.4, Working group 2.

A five step methodology is proposed for the development of safety upgrade works:

  • Step 1: "establish a safety framework" to confirm or to prescribe the regulatory framework applicable to the existing tunnel in terms of safety. Safety objectives are defined at this stage.
  • Step 2: "investigate current condition" to obtain a clear view of the current situation.
  • Step 3: "evaluate current tunnel safety level" in order to determine the existing level of tunnel safety.
  • Step 4: "define a safety improvement programme" specific to the existing tunnel and focussed on the deficiencies identified in previous steps.
  • Step 5: "evaluate future tunnel safety level" after the works; to demonstrate the safety benefits obtained through refurbishment works.

The presentation of this structured methodology is complemented in appendices with examples of the identification of weak spots for existing tunnels and of case studies of tunnel safety improvement programmes.

Information sheet

  • Date: 2012
  • Author(s): Comité technique AIPCR C.4 Exploitation des tunnels routiers / PIARC Technical Committee C.4 Road Tunnel Operation
  • Domain(s): Road Tunnel Operations
  • Type: 2012R20EN - Technical Report
  • PIARC Ref.: 2012R20EN
  • ISBN: 978-2-84060-284-9
  • Number of pages: 63