Safety in the Construction of Tunnels

The safety of the tunnels is the most careful when planning your construction. What counts is the safety of the workers who built it, the people close to the tunnel and future users. In this context, Spain has made significant advances.

Concern for safety of personnel during the construction of tunnels is very large. In fact, have greatly decreased accident rates in the construction of tunnels to be below the average construction. It should be noted that the number of deaths and injuries in road accidents is much lower in tunnels than in open sections.

The importance of the tunnels in the structuring of the Spanish territory and the interest of the international community to improve safety in the construction of tunnels have contributed to great lengths at both the policy and the investment. This has been reflected positively in increased levels of safety in tunnels and in general, underground infrastructure.

The biggest security interest in the construction of tunnels has been a major approach to the problem which has allowed to uncover deficiencies or weaknesses in the past so raised. The fire in the Mont Blanc tunnel, for instance, highlighted the risk that a tunnel is governed by two independent control centers.

In the area of ​​tunnel safety have emerged with force new technologies such as fixed extinguishing systems, automatic systems to detect incidents and fire, or thermal imaging cameras. The tunnels have become complex systems which are monitored in real-time traffic variables, environmental quality and issues.

The tunnel safety measures are contained in Royal Decree No. 635 on minimum safety in road tunnels of the state, which is the transposition into Spanish law of Directive 2004/54 of the European Parliament and the Council.