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Safety measures as referred to in Article 3 1. Basis for deciding on safety measures 1.1. Safety parameters 1.1.1. Safety measures to be implemented in a tunnel shall be based on a systematic consideration of all aspects of the system composed of the infrastructure, operation, users and vehicles.

1.1.2. The following parameters shall be taken into account:

— tunnel length,

— number of tubes,

— number of lanes,

— cross-sectional geometry,

— vertical and horizontal alignment,

— type of construction,

— uni-directional or bi-directional traffic,

— traffic volume per tube (including its time distribution),

— risk of congestion (daily or seasonal),

— access time for the emergency services,

— presence and percentage of heavy goods vehicles,

— presence, percentage and type of dangerous goods traffic,

— characteristics of the access roads,

— lane width,

— speed considerations,

— geographical and meteorological environment.

1.1.3. Where a tunnel has a special characteristic as regards the aforementioned parameters, a risk analysis shall be carried out in accordance with Article 13 to establish whether additional safety measures and/or supplementary equipment is necessary to ensure a high level of tunnel safety. This risk analysis shall take into consideration possible accidents, which clearly affect the safety of road users in tunnels and which might occur during the operating stage and the nature and magnitude of their possible consequences.

1.2. Minimum requirements 1.2.1. The safety measures required by the following paragraphs shall be implemented at a minimum in order to ensure a minimum level of safety in all the tunnels covered by the Directive. Limited derogations from these requirements may be allowed provided that the following procedure is completed successfully. Member States or the administrative authority shall send to the Commission information on the following:

— the limited derogation(s) envisaged,

— the imperative reasons underlying the limited derogation envisaged,

— the alternative risk-reduction measures which are to be used or reinforced in order to ensure at least an equivalent level of safety, including proof therefor in the form of an analysis of relevant risks. The Commission shall transmit any request for a limited derogation to the Member States as soon as possible, and in any case within one month of receipt. If, within a period of three months after receipt of the request by the Commission, neither the Commission nor a Member State formulates objections, the limited derogation shall be deemed granted and the Commission shall inform all Member States accordingly. If objections are expressed, the Commission shall make a proposal in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 17(2). Where the decision is negative, the limited derogation shall not be allowed.

1.2.2. In order to provide a unified interface in all tunnels to which this Directive applies, no derogation from the requirements of the following paragraphs shall be allowed regarding the design of the safety facilities at the disposal of the tunnel users (emergency stations, signs, lay-bys, emergency exits, radio re-broadcasting when required).

1.3. Traffic volume

The main structure of all tunnels where a local collapse of the structure could have catastrophic consequences, e.g. immersed tunnels or tunnels which can cause the collapse of important neighbouring structures, shall ensure a sufficient level of fire resistance.

2.8. Lighting 2.8.1. Normal lighting shall be provided so as to ensure appropriate visibility day and night for drivers in the entrance zone as well as in the interior of the tunnel.

2.8.2. Safety lighting shall be provided to allow a minimum visibility for tunnel users to evacuate the tunnel in their vehicles in the event of a breakdown of the power supply.

2.8.3. Evacuation lighting, such as evacuation marker lights, at a height of no more than 1,5 metres, shall be provided to guide tunnel users to evacuate the tunnel on foot, in the event of emergency.

2.9. Ventilation 2.9.1. The design, construction and operation of the ventilation system shall take into account:

— the control of pollutants emitted by road vehicles, under normal and peak traffic flow,

— the control of pollutants emitted by road vehicles where traffic is stopped due to an incident or an accident,

— the control of heat and smoke in the event of a fire.

2.9.2. A mechanical ventilation system shall be installed in all tunnels longer than 1 000 metres with a traffic volume higher than 2 000 vehicles per lane.

2.9.3. In tunnels with bi-directional and/or congested unidirectional traffic, longitudinal ventilation shall be allowed only if a risk analysis according to Article 13 shows it is acceptable and/or specific measures are taken, such as appropriate traffic management, shorter emergency exit distances, smoke exhausts at intervals.

2.9.4. Transverse or semi-transverse ventilation systems shall be used in tunnels where a mechanical ventilation system is necessary and longitudinal ventilation is not allowed under point 2.9.3. These systems must be capable of evacuating smoke in the event of a fire.

2.9.5. For tunnels with bi-directional traffic, with a traffic volume higher than 2 000 vehicles per lane, longer than 3 000 metres and with a control centre and transverse and/or semi-transverse ventilation, the following minimum measures shall be taken as regards ventilation:

— air and smoke extraction dampers shall be installed which can be operated separately or in groups,

— the longitudinal air velocity shall be monitored constantly and the steering process of the ventilation system (dampers, fans, etc.) adjusted accordingly.

2.10. Emergency stations 2.10.1. Emergency stations are intended to provide various items of safety equipment, in particular emergency telephones and extinguishers, but are not intended to protect road users from the effects of fire.

2.10.2. Emergency stations can consist of a box on the sidewall or preferably a recess in the sidewall. They shall be equipped with at least an emergency telephone and two fire extinguishers.

2.10.3. Emergency stations shall be provided near the portals and inside at intervals which for new tunnels shall not exceed 150 metres and which in existing tunnels shall not exceed 250 metres.

2.11. Water supply A water supply shall be provided for all tunnels. Hydrants shall be provided near the portals and inside at intervals which shall not exceed 250 metres. If a water supply is not available, it is mandatory to verify that sufficient water is provided otherwise.

2.12. Road signs

Specific signs shall be used for all safety facilities provided for tunnel users. Signs and panels for use in tunnels are given in Annex III.

2.13. Control centre 2.13.1. A control centre shall be provided for all tunnels longer than 3 000 metres with a traffic volume higher than 2 000 vehicles per lane.

2.13.2. Surveillance of several tunnels may be centralised at a single control centre.

2.14. Monitoring systems 2.14.1. Video monitoring systems and a system able to automatically detect traffic incidents (such as stopping vehicles) and/or fires shall be installed in all tunnels with a control centre.

2.14.2. Automatic fire-detection systems shall be installed in all tunnels which do not have a control centre where the operation of mechanical ventilation for smoke control is different from the automatic operation of ventilation for the control of pollutants.

2.15. Tunnel-closing equipment 2.15.1. In all tunnels longer than 1 000 metres, traffic signals shall be installed before the entrances so that the tunnel can be closed in case of an emergency. Additional means, such as variable message signs and barriers, can be provided to ensure that instructions are obeyed.

2.15.2. Inside all tunnels longer than 3 000 metres, with a control centre and a traffic volume higher than 2 000 vehicles per lane, equipment to stop vehicles in the event of an emergency is recommended at intervals not exceeding 1 000 metres. This equipment shall consist of traffic signals and possibly additional means, such as loudspeakers, variable message signs and barriers.

2.16. Communication systems 2.16.1. Radio re-broadcasting equipment for emergency service use shall be installed in all tunnels longer than 1 000 metres with a traffic volume higher than 2 000 vehicles per lane.

2.16.2. Where there is a control centre, it must be possible to interrupt radio re-broadcasting of channels intended for tunnel users, if available, in order to give emergency messages.

2.16.3. Shelters and other facilities where evacuating tunnel users must wait before they can reach the outside shall be equipped with loudspeakers for the provision of information to users.

2.17. Power supply and electrical circuits

2.17.1. All tunnels shall have an emergency power supply capable of ensuring the operation of safety equipment indispensable for evacuation until all users have evacuated the tunnel.

2.17.2. Electrical, measurement and control circuits shall be designed in such a way that a local failure, such as one due to a fire, does not affect unimpaired circuits.

2.18. Fire resistance of equipment The level of fire resistance of all tunnel equipment shall take into account the technological possibilities and aim at maintaining the necessary safety functions in the event of a fire.

2.19. Table displaying informative summary of minimum requirements The table set out hereafter gives a summary of the minimum requirements laid down in the previous paragraphs. The minimum requirements are those set out in the operative text of this Annex.

3. Measures concerning operations 3.1. Operating means Tunnel operation shall be organised and dispose of such means as will ensure the continuity and safety of the traffic through the tunnel. The personnel involved in the operation as well as the emergency services shall receive appropriate initial and continuing training.

3.2. Emergency planning

Emergency response plans shall be available for all tunnels. In tunnels starting and finishing in different Member States, a single bi-national emergency response plan shall involve the two countries.

3.3. Works in tunnels Complete or partial closure of lanes due to construction or maintenance works planned in advance shall always begin outside the tunnel. Variable message signs, traffic signals and mechanical barriers may be used for this purpose.

3.4. Management of accidents and incidents In the event of a serious accident or incident, all appropriate tunnel tubes shall be closed immediately to traffic. This shall be done by simultaneous activation not only of the abovementioned equipment before the portals, but also of variable message signs, traffic signals and mechanical barriers inside the tunnel, if available, so that all the traffic can be stopped as soon as possible outside and inside the tunnel. Tunnels of less than 1 000 metres may be closed by other means. Traffic shall be managed in such a way that unaffected vehicles can quickly leave the tunnel.