Abstract
The economic importance of tunnels is outlined and the impact of recent tunnel fires, such as those in the Channel Tunnel, the Mont Blanc Tunnel, the Tauern Tunnel and the Gotthard Tunnel, is described. Recent developments in safety guidelines for road tunnels, rail tunnels and mass-transit tunnels and the roles of PIARC and ITA are outlined. Details are given of research projects into tunnel safety initiated by the European Commission. Common trends to improve tunnel safety have emerged from the new guidelines and research results. These include defining safety objectives, considering the infrastructure as a part of the whole tunnel system, and implementing safety management. Areas for future work are identified.