Risk based maintenance in Swiss road tunnels. Analysis, finding and implementations

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Risk based maintenance in Swiss road tunnels. Analysis, finding and implementations

Mellert, L.D. / Zbinden, M. / Welte, U.

This study tries to establish that risk considerations should be taken into account to improve efficient maintenance of road tunnels. A survey of Swiss road tunnels shows that the combination of conventional condition assessments and qualitative risk considerations delivers a better basis for maintenance decisions. Based on average annual daily traffic and length, the tunnels were split into three maintenance types of rising order of importance (I, II and III) and put into relation with the respective ratings of periodically conducted condition assessments. The study concludes that maintenance focus should be prioritised according to maintenance type rating and, at the same time below average condition assessment. Regarding overall system tests it is recommended to test safety equipment of tunnels of higher maintenance type more often and more thoroughly than that of tunnels of lower maintenance type. In order to put the principles of risk based maintenance into practice, the Swiss Federal Roads Office has already implemented parts of the above findings in its maintenance concept. Hence, the combination of tunnel condition assessments and qualitative risk considerations provides a sound foundation for identifying suitable measures to preserve the substance as well as for efficient, transparent allocation of maintenance resources.