European Tunnelling Review Quality, Environment and Safety Focus

European Tunnelling Review Quality, Environment and Safety Focus

This paper provides an overview of tunnelling projects with some of the themes covered by the Chengdu Tunnelling Conference.(a) Environmental issues and tunnels under high groundwater pressure (Hallandsis Rail Tunnel, Sweden)(b) Fire -fighting and tunnel safety on long highway tunnels (Socatop Tunnel, West Paris)(c) Mechanised tunnelling below the world's largest airport (Heathrow T5) of a quality that avoids disruption to its operation.Each of these overviews show an enhanced performance in regard to project specific events or objectives. Particularly in tunnelling, project owners expect more than just a facility delivered on time for their money: they expect an all round performance respecting deadlines, budget, environmental protection, safety, quality and community harmony. Funding agencies do not always have the same agenda as project owners, acknowledging peripheral selection criteria but often demanding that the lowest bidder be awarded work. All round performance requires all round project selection criteria.