Brussels, 23/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - The European directive establishing minimum safety criteria for tunnels (EC 2004/54) has awarded good marks on the ground. The EuroTap tunnel test was carried out on ten key tunnels of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) and results show that the level of safety has considerably improved - and so much the better as, by 2019, the directive stipulates that all tunnels over 500 metres long must comply with its safety provisions.
“Important improvements in tunnel safety have been made in recent years. These have been spurred by legislation which has required fresh refurbishments, higher standards, new tunnel safety plans, and so on”, explains Jacob Bangsgaard, Director General of the Brussels office of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). Its German, Italian, Dutch, Austrian and Swiss members carried out the tests on tunnels concerning them, chosen in relation to their size, their location on the TEN-T or their importance for tourist traffic. The survey showed in particular “substantial progress” in the German tunnel “Wattkopf”, which was considered “very poor” in 2004, but which is now in the “good” rating, like the second German tunnel “Allach”. The Austrian tunnel “Tauern” and the Dutch tunnel “Roer” head the rating with flying colours, rating “very good”. The three Italian tunnels, “Dervio”, “San Pellegrino” and “Colle Capretto”, are also catching up, being described as “good” for their safety.
Nonetheless, according to the EuroTap tunnel test, there are still failings, especially when it comes to protection against fire and emergency exits, with loud speakers lacking. Bearing in mind the deadline for the directive, FIA concludes that “continued and redoubled efforts are required to finally make tunnels throughout Europe safe by 2019”. (MD/transl.jl)