Title: Railway tunnels safety: analysis of critical reliability aspects

Authors: Fabio De Felice; Antonella Petrillo; Federico Zomparelli

Addresses: Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, G. Di Biasio street n°43, 03043, Cassino (FR), Italy ' Department of Engineering, University of Naples ''Parthenope'', Centro Direzionale – Isola C4, 80143, Naples, Italy ' Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, G. Di Biasio street n°43, 03043, Cassino (FR), Italy

Abstract: The continuous technological evolution and increase in the standard of living of the population have led today to an increase in the volume of rail traffic. Despite railways being a statistically safe form of transportation rail accidents may still happen. The paper aims to propose a model to show a proper level of safety in railway tunnels, through the adoption of measures of prevention and protection finalised at the reduction of critical situations. In the present study a rigorous methodological approach is proposed for a 'typical' Italian railway tunnel.

Keywords: reliability; maintainability; rail safety; railways; risk assessment; critical infrastructures; railway tunnels; tunnel safety; Italy; prevention measures; protection measures.

DOI: 10.1504/IJDSRM.2015.075481

International Journal of Decision Sciences, Risk and Management, 2015 Vol.6 No.2, pp.103 - 127

Received: 24 Aug 2015
Accepted: 14 Oct 2015
Published online: 24 Mar 2016 *

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