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Analysis and Criticism
The impact of tunnel testing
List of results at a glance
Testing tunnels in Italy
EuroTAP project
Benchmarking tunnel safety in Europe
EuroTAP quality checks reveal that one in six European Tunnels fail EU minimum requirements
After seven years of tunnel testing, despite a general trend of improvements and the introduction of a European Union Directive, the automobile clubs, partners in the EuroTAP project, sponsored by the European Commission, still have their work cut out for them if all tunnels are to meet the minimum requirements in the medium term. One in six of the tunnels tested failed on this occasion.
Launched in January 2005, EuroTAP, the European Tunnel Assessment Programme has completed “Phase 1” of its inspections programme. 49 major tunnels located on highways important for transEuropean mobility in 14 European countries have been tested in line with criteria set down in the European Union’s Tunnel Directive adopted in April 2004. Two tunnels: the Markusberg Tunnel in Luxemburg and the Ottsdorf Tunnel in Austria, both rated “very good”, tied for first place in this year’s survey. Both tunnels clearly meet standards well in excess of those set down in the Directive. 
However at the other end of the spectrum, the Roccaccia Tunnel in Italy finished in last place rated “very poor”. The two-tube 20 year old tunnel is in urgent need of technical refurbishment if it is to satisfy state-of-the-art safety requirements.
The inspections have a two-fold objective: to determine each tunnel’s safety potential – the presence of elements that serve |
Individual tunnel testing
How we tested
Demands to operators
Tips for drivers
Chronology of accidents
to prevent or contain emergency situations; and to calculate each tunnel’s risk potential – the likelihood of incidents occurring that could lead to accidents and the possible extent of the damage that could be caused as result. Criteria used to rate the safety and quality of the tunnels examined the tunnel system, lighting and power supply, type and density of traffic, the quality of surveillance and 
communication systems in the tunnels, availability of escape and rescue routes, fire prevention and ventilation systems and not least the crisis management procedures put in place by the operator.
Tunnels were tested in 14 countries including Italy (with four Italian tunnels), which represents a major breakthrough and a promising start for EuroTAP. In previous years, the European country with the highest number of road tunnels, Italy, systematically refused to take part in our inspections and denied our experts access to their tunnels.Regular tunnel inspections such as those being conducted under EuroTAP over the next three years are already proving to be a positive motivation for tunnel operators to improve the quality and safety of road tunnels under their responsibility and thus providing a better service for the mobile consumer. The Kappelberg Tunnel near Stuttgart is a fine example.
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EuroTAP, a three year programme supported by the European Commission will benchmark the safety and quality of European Road Tunnels and inform European citizens. Led by ADAC, Germany, the project is implemented by a consortium of 12 European Automobile Clubs from 11 countries.
See: www.eurotestmobility.com |
The EuroTAP partners want to encourage operators to achieve ever better standards in Regular It is currently being refurbished at a cost of €12m in order to meet with the latest guidelines for equipping and operating road tunnels.EuroTAP partners want to encourage operators to achieve better standards in order to ensure safety. Regular independent tests together with the optimal provision of information to motorists are essential. Operators should take the necessary steps to see that their tunnels (in terms of the system, communications, surveillance, fire prevention, ventilation and management) comply at the very least with the EU’s minimum standards. EuroTAP partners would urge operators to target the highest standards.
Other complementary initiatives due to be launched this spring in support of EuroTAP are targeting safer behaviour by tunnel users. An interactive pc game has been developed to teach drivers how to behave correctly in a tunnel in a range of different situations such as during an accident or a fire. Click here for more. A consumer friendly tunnel website containing useful information on all the tunnels ever tested by the 
consortium over the last 6 years permits motorists planning their routes to check information about tunnels they will encounter. Click here Materials to aid driver training schools teaching students about driving in tunnels are also on their way.
For more information regarding the project and information in your language please click here.
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