Management of Various Safety Parameters in Tunnel Construction: A Critical Review

Abstract

Population is growing rapidly and so are vehicles on roads. This leads to enormous need of tunnels and subways for easy locomotion and mobilization. From conventional tunnels, for sewage and water facilities to modern electrified tunnels, for mass transit and underwater highways, method of construction of a tunnel to its safety inspection and maintenance has taken a wide leap. Tunnel construction requires wide range of resources like human, technology, machinery, materials, energy, and finance. To handle all these resources simultaneously becomes complex and requires good management. Even with good management, accidents and hazards might occur. A critical review of various safety parameters while constructing a tunnel and its management is presented in this paper. This review paper discusses the history of safety of tunnels till present safety measures and techniques adopted around the world for different tunnels; various critical factors which affect the safety in tunnels; the extent of damage occurring due to these factors; numerous preventive measures which are adopted around the world to prevent loss of property and lives in tunnels; and advanced technology and software, which are being used in modern era to enhance safety in tunnel construction. The study from manual horse drawn-tramway to autonomous robotic system has been done. This paper also considers various tunnels around the world and gives a summary of factors for safety focused on for making these tunnels, with its adopted remedy.