The probability of an accident occurring and the probability of being injured is lower in tunnels than on open stretches of roads. However, if an accident does happen in a tunnel, the severity of injuries sustained is significantly higher than on open stretches of motorways. In a tunnel the risk of being killed in a traffic accident is twice as high as on open stretches of motorways. Traffic safety is significantly higher in tunnels with uni-directional traffic than in tunnels with bi-directional traffic. In tunnels with bi-directional traffic the probability of being killed in a traffic accident is 2.3 times as high as in tunnels with uni-directional traffic. Both in tunnels with bi-directional traffic and in tunnels with uni-directional traffic the highest accident rates occur in the portal area. Based on the results of this analysis various measures aimed at raising traffic safety in tunnels are recommended. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting