Tunnel Ventilation Systems

With tunnels being an integral part of transportation networks, increasing their life span is a challenge infrastructure owners face. The solution is to implement effective ventilation and fire safety systems to provide a comfortable environment for passengers and workers, reduce whole life costs and risks, and improve sustainability.

WSP is a recognized industry leader in the operational approach to the performance of transportation systems and networks. Through this approach we:

• Enable the safe operation of transportation networks through a ‘whole system’ approach using the right combination of people, process, human factors, systems, technology and infrastructure.
• Establish the operational vision for a scheme from a detailed understanding of the required outcomes.

Our approach delivers the key operational elements and functions, central to the safe and effective management of traffic across the whole route, including the tunnel and surrounding roads. We deliver the key operational documents and protocols including the Concept of Operations, Tunnel Operations Plan, Minimum Operating Requirements, Maintenance Strategies, Emergency Management plans and Incident Plans.

We work closely with stakeholders to develop the required range of routine and non-routine traffic operations scenarios to be considered in the scheme’s development. We also develop innovative solutions to mitigate against human factors which are primarily associated with anxiety and the unfamiliar road environment.

Our Tunnel systems specialist services include:

In developing software tools and techniques, WSP provides innovative methods to study thermal comfort, risk of change, and evaluate the consequences of factors such as climate change.

Design Tools and Skills

WSP designers offer specialised experience in tunnel ventilation structure, optimizing equipment selection and layout, and managing wider integration with infrastructure.

Fire Safety Engineering

We develop fire strategies using prescriptive, risk-based, and fire engineering approaches to gain approval from the authority having jurisdiction and acceptance by other key stakeholders.

Energy and Sustainability

Tunnel ventilation models and analyses allow WSP to account for predominant energy sources. Our team has a thorough understanding of tunnel energy flows and balances.

Supporting Operators

Working closely with tunnel operators, our tunnel ventilation engineers have developed a deep understanding and appreciation of operational constraints. We develop operational strategies and responses that use existing assets to best effect under changing operating conditions, such as service level enhancements and infrastructure upgrades.