Current State of Road Tunnel Safety in Japan

With the increase of road tunnels, we have experienced many serious accidents involving tunnel fires, and have learned many lessons from these accidents. Specifically after the tragic fire accident of the Nihonzaka Tunnel in 1979, we have made every effort to improve safety in road tunnels; such as reviewing the concept of road tunnel safety, revising technical standards, improving emergency facilities, establishing cooperation with police and fire brigades, and promoting education and drills for road users. This paper presents lessons learned from our past experiences and the national safety standard to ensure road tunnel safety in Japan. Moreover, some issues under discussion in Japan, such as safety in urban tunnels with very long length and large-scale tunnels, and operation and management of water sprinklers, are introduced. For the covering abstract see ITRD E135448.

• Authors:
  • MASHIMO, H
  • MIZUTANI, T
• Publication Date: 2003

Language

• English

Media Info

• Serial:
  • PROCEEDINGS OF THE 22ND PIARC WORLD ROAD CONGRESS,19-25 OCTOBER 2003,
  • Publisher: World Road Association (PIARC)

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Emergencies; Fires; Length; Safety; Tunnels
• Geographic Terms: Japan
• ITRD Terms: 2184: Emergency; 1624: Fire; 8053: Japan; 6488: Length; 1665: Safety; 3374: Tunnel
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Safety and Human Factors; I25: Design of Tunnels;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01111774
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Sep 30 2008 9:43AM