Advancing Tunnel Safety Management: A Simple and Adaptable Method for Comprehensive Evaluation

Unique challenges are presented by tunnel safety, requiring a practical and adaptable evaluation method. To address this need, a comprehensive safety index was developed in this study. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used with a panel of ۴۳ experts to assign evidence-based weights to seven key safety categories. The results show that ‘Traffic Management and Surveillance’ (۲۴%), ‘Emergency and Rescue Management’ (۲۱%), and ‘Tunnel and Road Geometry’ (۱۹%) are the most critical factors. The model was then validated through a case study of the Shohada-ye-Gaza Tunnel in Tehran, which scored ۵.۸۵, corresponding to a “Mean” safety level. Specific weaknesses were successfully pinpointed by the evaluation, demonstrating its utility as a diagnostic tool. Furthermore, it was confirmed by a sensitivity analysis that a ۳۰% improvement in the ‘Traffic management and traffic surveillance’ category would raise the tunnel’s classification to “Good.” A validated, straightforward framework is provided by this research, enabling authorities to not only benchmark tunnel safety but also to strategically allocate resources for targeted improvements

کلیدواژه ها:

Tunnel ، safety ، Safety Evaluation ، Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)