Risk assessment models for road tunnels in operation

Abstract

After tunnel fire catastrophes at the end of the 1990’s, the safety at road tunnel operations has become a priority on transportation policies at international level especially inside the European Union. This circumstance has required the analysis and risk assessment in those tunnels that for their special characteristics it is highly recommended. This article presents a biographical review in the topic along with a research of risk assessment models for road tunnels. The main conclusion of this study is the need of applying probabilistic models complemented by determinist studies centred in cases which may present biggest losses to the society.