Emergency risk reduction technologies at tunnel type road junctions

Abstract

PURPOSE. Tunnel type road junctions considerably reduce traffic load in metropolitan areas, but they are also high-risk facilities. Any emergency in a confined space can result in loss of life and significant property damage. This is confirmed by the fact that over the past decade alone, more than 100 people have died in the tunnel fires. Thus, the development of emergency situations risk reduction technology is a crucial task. METHODS. A review of regulatory documents that establish requirements for the integrated safety of high-risk facilities, including tunnels, has been carried out. The ways of improving safety of tunnel type road junctions have been analyzed. The findings of our own research as well as the international and national experience of integrated safety provision for high-risk facilities have been discussed. FINDINGS. Based on the analysis of literature references and the results of our own experimental studies, the prospects for scientific research on creating integrated automated systems for monitoring safety and life support of tunnel type road junctions have been defined. It is determined that in order to improve the safety of tunnels it is necessary to use the technology of structured systems for monitoring and controlling engineering systems of buildings and structures developed with the participation of the authors (SMIS). RESEARCH APPLICATION FIELD. The obtained results provide the basis for further technologies development for improving the integrated safety of high-risk facilities by using automated systems integrated with each other for monitoring safety and life support of buildings and structures. CONCLUSIONS. The proposed technology for creating SMIS at tunnel type road junctions makes it possible to significantly increase their security. At the same time, when creating SMIS for tunnels it is appropriate to comply with the following requirements: to develop SMIS in the form of a modular structure, automated control over the operation of safety and life support systems should be provided, to develop SMIS as of an “open system” to which it will be possible to extra connect new safety and life support systems.