Design features
Tunnel Safety Systems
Safety has been at the forefront of the T2D Project design. The tunnels will have a range of features to make sure motorists are safe.
The T2D Project will be a ‘managed motorway’ meaning it will have a range of technology-based information, communications and control systems in the motorway, including in the tunnels, known as intelligent transport systems (ITS).
The systems are designed to actively:
- manage traffic flows
- improve safety
- provide travel time reliability.
We will establish a dedicated traffic management centre to monitor the T2D motorway and it will have a range of tools to make sure traffic moves efficiently along the corridor. This includes measures such as:
- coordinated ramp signalling
- speed and lane use management
- automated incident detection
- variable messaging signs (VMS).
If an incident occurs in a tunnel we will use these systems to coordinate an appropriate response to make sure motorists are safe.
Systems include:
- tunnel closure system so the tunnels can be safely closed when required using boom gates and stop signs to restrict access
- automatic incident detection to identify hazards such as stopped vehicles, debris, animals or people
- CCTV cameras for constant road monitoring and quick incident management
- dynamic variable message signs to provide information to motorists like incident warnings and likely travel time
- lane use management system to control speed limits and lane closures for optimised traffic flow and safety
- fire detection and suppression systems to activate sprinklers in the event of a fire
- radio rebroadcasting so traffic management centre personnel can broadcast safety messages to motorists in the tunnels via their vehicle’s radio.
The T2D motorway, including the tunnels, will also be monitored 24/7 by personnel in a dedicated Traffic Management Centre.
Regularly spaced cross passages between the two tunnels will provide additional emergency access in the event of evacuation and access for emergency services teams between the tunnels.
We are working closely with emergency services so that requirements are well understood and are incorporated into the design for the motorway.
