Austroads Guide to Road Tunnels Development and overview of content L J Louis FIEAust CPEng RPEQ.

Austroads Guide to Road Tunnels

Development and overview of content

L J Louis FIEAust CPEng RPEQ

Content of presentation

Introduction Austroads and ARRB Process of development Consultation Overall content Current status of the Guide Future

Introduction Background

Austroads – who are they? Les Louis

Intent of presentation Reason for the Guide Stakeholders Explain the consultation undertaken Discuss the content and rationale Explain the status of the document and its

applicability Provide information on providing feedback

Austroads

Membership: Six state and two territory road

authorities C’Wealth Dept of Infrastructure,

Transport and Regional Development Australian Local Government

Association New Zealand Transport Agency

Austroads Role of Austroads:

Expert advice to Government Facilitating collaboration between road

agencies Promoting harmonisation, consistency

and uniformity in road and related operations

Undertaking strategic research Promoting improved and consistent

practice by road agencies

ARRB Formerly the Australian Road Research

Board Created by Austroads members at the time

(current shareholders) Government owned, independently run, not-

for-profit research organisation Undertakes technical and strategic research

for Austroads and its members Engaged by Austroads to produce this Guide

Need for Guide

Major expenditure by Austroads members on tunnels

Lack of an agreed national technical standard

Provide a source of information based on current knowledge

Need for Guide - Issues Uncertain structural design standards Questionable geometric safety standards Poor attention to detail (e.g. leaks) High maintenance requirements High variability in safety standards and

systems (e.g. spacing of escape doors) Variable environmental requirements Incorrect volumetric land acquisition

Purpose of the Guide Provide high level guidance to those making

decisions in the planning, design, operation and maintenance of new road tunnels in Australia & NZ.

To be used by- Engineers and technical specialists in tunnel

technology working on the planning, design and operation of road tunnels

Proponents of road tunnel solutions Senior decision makers (in an overview role) Regulators

Users of this Guide will be able to determine standards for road tunnel design and operation acceptable to Austroads members.

Process of Development Tunnel Technology Review Panel

Drawn from Austroads members – all States, ARRB, C’wealth, NZ, LG represented

Literature Review – Australia, NZ, PIARC, UK, Norway, Japan, USA

Learnings from previous projects Significant input from:

Australasian Tunnelling Society (ATS) Australian Tunnel Operators Group

Consultation with industry specialists – Fire and Rescue, Consultants

Specialist input including some writing

Process of Development Drafts written Reviewed by Panel Comments from Austroads Members Comments from ATS, ATOG, AFAC, CNI Revised Drafts and further review Review by Arnold Dix (Consultant and

member of PIARC Committees on tunnels)

Further drafts and review Final versions approved

Consultation Input from a wide cross section of

industry – ATS ATOG AFAC City North Infrastructure (CNI) -

Brisbane Robert Bertuzzi Arnold Dix

Laerdal Norway road tunnel – 24.5km

Overall Structure of the Guide

The Guide is in three parts: Part 1: Introduction to Road

Tunnels Part 2: Planning, Design and

Commissioning Part 3: Operation and

Maintenance

Part 1: Introduction to Road Tunnels - Scope Provides overview of requirements . . Details

in the other two parts

Gives guidance on the planning process to ensure that all of the necessary factors affecting the design, construction, maintenance and operation of the tunnel are considered

Covers those matters that have a significant impact on the strategic planning of a tunnel solution . . .

Part 1: Scope (cont.) Emphasis placed on risk analysis and

management

Introduces process to establish the Fire Safety requirements

Discusses the effects of different construction methods, operational factors and maintenance needs that affect the details of the tunnel dimensions, equipment and facilities required.

Part 1: Contents

1. Introduction2. Road Tunnel Implementation Process3. General Planning Requirements4. Regulatory Requirements5. Traffic Considerations6. Structural Design Considerations7. Geometric Design Considerations . . .

Part 1 – Contents (cont.)

8. Geotechnical Considerations9. Drainage, Water and Flood Protection10. Functional Safety and Operations11. Environmental Considerations12. Construction Methods

Commentary 1 - Types of tunnel construction

Part 2: Planning, Design and Commissioning - Scope Sets out Austroads expectations for

appropriate design Discusses expected approach to the

design of the elements of the tunnel project . . and defines/refers to acceptable standards

This document is intended to establish the benchmark for tunnel planning and design in Australia and New Zealand

Part 2 - Scope This Part does not deal with the

refurbishment of existing tunnels nor the retro-fitting of components to existing tunnels

Describes the commissioning phase

Tunnels are evolving and therefore this is not intended to be an exhaustive treatment of road tunnels.

Part 2: Contents1. Introduction2. General Design Requirements3. Structural Design4. Geometric Design5. Pavement Design6. Environmental Considerations7. Drainage design8. Fire safety9. Ventilation design10. Lighting design11. Electrical Supply design . . .

Part 2: Contents (cont.)12. Design for Monitoring and Control

12.1 Operations Management & Control Systems (OMCS) 12.2 Tunnel Control Centre 12.3 Communications System 12.4 Plant Management and Control

13. Services Buildings and Plant Rooms13.1 General 13.2 Design and Layout 13.3 Heating, Air-conditioning and Ventilation 13.4 Floor Loading 13.5 Lightning Protection 13.6 Building Security and Fire Protection

14. Construction Issues 15. Tunnel CommissioningAppendix A Horizontal Curves & Sight Distance.

Part 2 – some issues Design life of components Concrete – sprayed, unreinforced, fibre

reinforcing Design fire Transport of combustible liquids Dispersion of vitiated air from portals External air quality Commissioning requirements

Part 2 – some issues (continued)

Level of sophistication required for control systems and electrical requirements for regional tunnels and low traffic tunnels

How many “bells and whistles”? Live loading above the tunnel on

the surface

3-lane road tunnel with permanent rockbolt and shotcrete support under construction

Courtesy: Dr Douglas Maconochie

Part 3: Operation and Maintenance - Scope Sets out operational requirements of the

systems described in detail in Parts 1 and 2

Describes the protocols required for interaction and coordination of the various authorities who are stakeholders in the operation of the tunnel

Sets the performance standards for the operation and maintenance of the facility as well as providing guidelines for operation of the various systems including the manuals and operating procedures required.

Part 3: Contents1. Introduction 2. General operation& Maintenance

requirements 3. Operations

3.1 Objectives3.2 Methodology3.3 Traffic Management3.4 Incident Management3.5 Operational Performance

4. Maintenance5. Human Factors 6. Training 7. Environment

Current Status

Part 1 – published July 2010

Current Status

Part 2 - Published November 2010

Current Status

Part 3 - Published August 2010

Current Status

Now the adopted guide for all State road authorities

Individual authorities may produce supplementary guidelines

Qld: Road Planning and Design Manual, Volume 3 – Guide to Road Tunnels

Qld Guide to Road Tunnels Will adopt Austroads Guide with

supplementary requirements e.g. Ramps (e.g. cross section) Cross section – e.g. shoulder widths Specific structural requirements (e.g.

lining reinforcement) Specific requirements for bus ways

To be developed this year

Future Proposed Workshops (ARRB) – 2012

One day seminar format Proposed for Brisbane, Sydney and

Melbourne Austroads welcomes feedback

Corrections Additions New information Send to [email protected]

Summary The intention of Austroads is that this

publication will provide for uniformity of practice in Australia and New Zealand

The guidance provided in this edition is general in many areas . . Due to rate of change of technology Not a text book on tunnels . . Unlike

Norwegian guide FHWA 2010

But does take position on some issues . . .

Summary

It is not intended to provide any form of substitute for the special expertise that is needed to prepare effective and efficient working designs for a road tunnel