Spatialtemporal Characteristics of Tunnel Traffic Accidents in China from 2001 to Present

Abstract

There are often greater risks in the process of tunnel construction, and because of the unpredictable tunnel features, the risks during tunnel operation are also great. Due to the substantial growth of TTAs during the recent years, the safety issues of the tunnel trafficaccidents(TTAs)havebecomeawidelydiscussedtopicinChina.Thisstudyexamined2703TTAsthatoccurredin theexpresswaytunnelsofChina,from2001tothepresent.Thedatasetsfromtheseaccidentswereanalyzedindetailtodetermine the temporal and spatial characteristics of the traffic accidents as well as the source of the traffic accident distributions in the expressway tunnels. According to the analysis results, 58% of TTAs took place in the entrance and exit zones, and the rear end accidentisthemostcommonaccident.Inaddition,thespecialfestivalsareliabletotrafficaccidents,especiallyduringtheChinese Spring Festival. In order to reduce the accidents, special traffic service needs to be taken in key periods, the expressway tunnel operationdepartmentsshouldimprovethemanagementrules,andallthedriversshouldbeeducatedtobemorecarefulwhenthey enter the tunnel.