A decade as a tunnel inspection body

Road tunnels have sophisticated safety facilities that ensure proper tunnel management in normal conditions and in emergencies.

Last February, the Provincial Council of Bizkaia (DFB) awarded TECNALIA the contract for inspection and advisory activities for the Tunnel Inspection Authority (OITB) on the Bizkaia road network, a service that it has provided uninterruptedly since 2008, along with leading companies in the sector such as SENER, Valencia University LISITT and TEKIA.

The safety of users is the commitment of the PROVINCIAL COUNCIL OF BIZKAIA, which has achieved a safer road network and has saved the terrain of Bizkaia with less environmental impact through the construction of tunnels.

Road tunnels have sophisticated safety facilities intended to ensure proper tunnel management in normal conditions and in emergencies. To achieve these objectives, the tunnels have been equipped with state-of-the-art technology, adapting to the new solutions offered by the market today.

The replacement of the lighting technology with LED, the integration of ventilation algorithms and automated emergency plans, and the implementation of new smart transport systems have enabled a more efficient management and a faster response to any traffic incident. The functioning of these facilities is critical and is constantly monitored and managed from a control centre.

The OITB is the body responsible for validating and verifying the proper functioning of all the systems that affect safety, for which inspections are performed for the opening along with regular inspections of the civil works, their equipment and management.

The actions of the Inspection Authority (OITB) for evaluation, tests, trials and inspections ensure the fulfilment of the regulatory safety requirements for tunnels in Bizkaia.

Contact:

Verónica Santurde

veronica.santurde@tecnalia.com

Project Office

División Lab_services

TECNALIA