Author(s)

M. Guarascio, M. Lombardi, G. Rossi & G. Sciarra

Abstract

A case study is presented illustrating the application of the Quantitative Probabilistic Risk Analysis Methodology requested in Italy for the tunnels of the motorway road network. Keywords: Quantitative Probabilistic Risk Analysis. 1 Introduction Italy in the framework of both the rail and road network of the European Union holds significantly more than half of the overall length to be run in tunnels. That’s why Italy can be considered the veritable \“Tunnel Country”. Nowadays the European and Italian authorities are very active and productive as far as tunnel safety rules are considered. Expert communities have perceived the Authorities concern with respect to the tunnel safety conditions. See for instance the European Directive [54/2004/CE] \“on minimum safety requirements for tunnels in the trans- European road network” as well as the two Italian governmental acts [D.M. 25.10.2005] \“Rail Tunnel safety” and [D. Lgs. 05.06.2006] \“Actuation of the D.54/2004/CE”. The aim of all the above acts is to upgrade the expected level of safety in tunnels. The expectation of a higher level of safety in clearly declared in the Italian acts, both for rail and road cases, where are indicated in quantitative form the values to be achieved as well as criteria and procedure for demonstrating the above results. The achievement of the requested level of safety only occurs when in a specific tunnel with given traffic, length and design there exist an adequate number of safety requirements operating at an appropriate level of performance.

Keywords

Quantitative Probabilistic Risk Analysis.