This paper presents the results of a study carried out in order to estimate accident rates and associated social-cost rates in motorway tunnels. A comparison between the results obtained in the investigated tunnels and those of the corresponding motorways containing these structures was also made. For this aim a 4-year monitoring period was considered in the analysis. The data-base used consisted of 195 unidirectional tunnels, in which 762 severe accidents were attributable to traffic with 774 injuries and 18 deaths. The results showed that severe accident rates and accident cost rates in tunnels were higher than those on the corresponding motorways. Accidents due to fire in tunnels were also investigated during the aforementioned monitoring period. The total number of these fire accidents occurring in 45 of the tunnels investigated were computed to be 53, 3 of which with 3 injuries and with zero deaths. Fortunately no major fire accident had occurred as a result of a catastrophic event or an explosion. Fire accident rates in tunnels were found to be lower than accident rates due to traffic only. A cost-benefit analysis, which is thought of as an aid in the choice of the priority of assigning public money in order to improve tunnels safety in compliance with the 2004/54/EC Directive, was also developed. This analysis was made assuming as a benefit the 50% potential reduction estimated for 2020 when compared to that of 2010 in social-costs of the consequences due to both traffic and fire accidents in tunnels. State funds that had been required by the Tunnels Management Agencies were assumed as the costs of measures that have to be implemented in the existing tunnels for improving safety. Cost-benefit analysis might represent, at a preliminary level, an alternative approach to help decision-makers regarding the assignation of public funds when specific risk analyses of each tunnel are not available.

Evaluation of Traffic and Fire Accidents in Road Tunnels, and a Cost-Benefit Analysis

CALIENDO, Ciro;DE GUGLIELMO, MARIA LUISA
2012-01-01

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a study carried out in order to estimate accident rates and associated social-cost rates in motorway tunnels. A comparison between the results obtained in the investigated tunnels and those of the corresponding motorways containing these structures was also made. For this aim a 4-year monitoring period was considered in the analysis. The data-base used consisted of 195 unidirectional tunnels, in which 762 severe accidents were attributable to traffic with 774 injuries and 18 deaths. The results showed that severe accident rates and accident cost rates in tunnels were higher than those on the corresponding motorways. Accidents due to fire in tunnels were also investigated during the aforementioned monitoring period. The total number of these fire accidents occurring in 45 of the tunnels investigated were computed to be 53, 3 of which with 3 injuries and with zero deaths. Fortunately no major fire accident had occurred as a result of a catastrophic event or an explosion. Fire accident rates in tunnels were found to be lower than accident rates due to traffic only. A cost-benefit analysis, which is thought of as an aid in the choice of the priority of assigning public money in order to improve tunnels safety in compliance with the 2004/54/EC Directive, was also developed. This analysis was made assuming as a benefit the 50% potential reduction estimated for 2020 when compared to that of 2010 in social-costs of the consequences due to both traffic and fire accidents in tunnels. State funds that had been required by the Tunnels Management Agencies were assumed as the costs of measures that have to be implemented in the existing tunnels for improving safety. Cost-benefit analysis might represent, at a preliminary level, an alternative approach to help decision-makers regarding the assignation of public funds when specific risk analyses of each tunnel are not available.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11386/3880771
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