INSIGHT | ROAD TUNNELS – SAFETY AND OPERATIONS
SMART system to use real-time data to support safety, operations and maintenance of highway tunnels.
acoustic detection systems to improve incident awareness and response times, including: ● Roy Blunt Luminary Park, Kansas City ● North Houston Highway Improvement Project, Segment 3A
● El Paso Deck Plaza Project, Texas. Simply stated, acoustic detection enables operators to
recognise incidents faster and respond more effectively. These systems are able to detect and determine the cause within seconds of the incident.
Automated Emergency Response – and example Modern tunnel emergency response systems are largely automated, although control room operators continue to play an important role. When an acoustic detection system identifies an unusual event, the corresponding camera view can automatically appear on an operator’s screen. This allows rapid visual verification and reduces the time required to assess the situation. Indeed, most tunnel systems are automatically activated: ● Ventilation systems ● Emergency lighting ● Wayfinding lighting ● Exit signage ● Traffic management.
Even standpipe systems can be partially automated. For
example, a dry standpipe may automatically fill with water upon alarm activation so that it is ready when firefighters arrive. All that is needed is a valve to open via an alarm signal. Still, many incidents continue to be reported through 911 calls, making some level of human oversight necessary. In these situations, operators can initiate multiple system responses through a single command. In essence, the
26 | October 2026
operator generates the alarm signal manually, but all of the same processes are then automatically initiated. For tunnels equipped with FFFS, a positive alarm
sequence can be used to verify a fire event before water is discharged onto an active roadway. If the operator does not intervene within the prescribed time frame, the system automatically activates to protect tunnel users and infrastructure. This safety feature is important as water should not be unexpectedly dropped on moving traffic. As a result, most critical life safety systems can now
respond automatically to fire detection events while maintaining appropriate human oversight.
LOOKING AHEAD Tunnel technology continues to evolve rapidly. Advances in AI, data analytics and system integration are enabling capabilities that were difficult to imagine only a few decades ago. Researchers and designers are now exploring systems that can predict incidents before they occur by analysing traffic patterns, environmental conditions and equipment performance in real time. While these capabilities remain largely experimental, they represent the next step in tunnel operations. Today, automated detection systems can already
identify incidents within seconds and immediately display the affected camera view to operators for evaluation and action. Importantly, those operators no longer need to be located inside or even near the tunnel. A regional traffic management centre may oversee multiple tunnels from miles away while maintaining full operational awareness. The SMART tunnel concept represents this shift towards
connected, intelligent infrastructure. By combining automation, predictive analytics and integrated life safety systems, SMART tunnels improve safety, reduce operational risk and create a more resilient transportation network for the future.
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