Implementing the new tunnel safety directive, four out of 27 tunnels did not fulfill the minimum requirements
The 2004 Tunnel Test led by ADAC (the German motoring club) focused on 27 tunnels in nine European countries, bringing to 150, the number of tunnels tested over the last six years.
Nine tunnels were awarded the rating "very good", nine tunnels were rated "good" five were considered "acceptable" while one tunnel was considered "poor" and a further three others "very poor".
The winners are the Rennsteig tunnel and Oberhof tunnel in Germany. The T.nel de la Cumbre in La Palma, Spain ranked as the third best tunnel this year. The loser, coming bottom of the list, was the Uèka Tunnel in Rjeka, Croatia.
Regrettably access to tunnels in Italy was not permitted even though 246 out of the 512 tunnels subject to the new Tunnel Safety Directive (Minimum Safety Requirements for Tunnels in the Trans European Network) are in Italy.
For the first time in the history of the Tunnel Test, the minimum requirements for safety established by the new Tunnel Directive were taken into account in the test methodology, for example, the distance between the emergency exits.
Following the European Parliament’s adoption of its second reading on 20th of April 2004, the draft Directive on minimum requirements for the road tunnels located on the Trans-European Network should be finalised shortly. This Directive intends to harmonise the safety requirements for European tunnels. The new standards cover all tunnels longer than 500m. Member States have a 10-year time frame following national transposition of the Directive, to upgrade their tunnels to the required standards.
This year’s Tunnel Test also marks the launch of a major tunnel safety information campaign by a European consortium of motoring organisations, members of the AIT (Alliance Internationale de Tourisme) & FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile). The campaign’s partners include ADAC (Germany), ACI (Italy), AMZS (Slovenia), ANWB (The Netherlands), NAF (Norway), OAMTC (Austria), RACC and RACE (Spain), TCB (Belgium) and TCS (Switzerland) and the AIT&FIA Bureau,Brussels.
The forthcoming campaign will raise awareness among the motorists on the safe driving behaviour in tunnels, the measures will include a website with information about 50 of Europe’s most important tunnels, plus the distribution of an interactive educational PC tool and information video providing details of how to behave safely in tunnels.
END
Notes for the Editor: For more information concerning the Tunnel Test please contact Sinziana Radu at s.radu@aitfiabrussels.com or at tel: 02 282 0816.
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