En Mega tunnel projects on exhibit in Dubai
The ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress is the world's leading tunneling event, bringing together tunnel and underground space experts and professionals from all around the world. The 2018 edition of The World Tunnel Congress will be hosted in Dubai at the Dubai World Trade Center from April 21 – 26 2018.
The host society of engineers, UAE is preparing to host this event, which is held for the first time in the Middle East, with a number of mega tunnel projects, which had become a witness to the renaissance and development in the fledgling Emirates, and we will review some of these projects to get to know them closely.
An example of such project is the Sheikh Zayed Road Tunnel, opened in 2012 and is the longest tunnel in the Middle East, with a length of 6.3 km. The construction of the tunnel took about 32 million hours of continuous work.
The importance of the Sheikh Zayed Tunnel in Abu Dhabi is that it connects the heart of the UAE capital with its various vital areas, and provides great traffic facilities for those coming to Abu Dhabi from Al Ain and Dubai. The tunnel consists of eight lanes for vehicles and contains twenty electronic traffic screens, which are being used for the first time in the emirate, where Abu Dhabi Municipality has developed and designed electronic traffic systems to ensure safe and efficient navigation within timetables.
Lighting in the tunnel is based on the latest technologies and systems in the world’s most advanced lighting systems, providing saving 60% of the consumption and providing a feel-safe environment for drivers, and prevent accidents.
The tunnel is equipped with a voice guidance system, which is used in emergency and evacuation. The tunnel is also supplied with variable electronic panels which instruct drivers and give them information about the road condition instantly. The surveillance systems is said to be the latest technology in monitoring, control and data collection, and the most sophisticated systems in the world, as well as surveillance cameras that cover the whole tunnel.
Sheikh Zayed Road Tunnel also has a fire detection, control and extinguishing system that detects fires with temperature monitoring and smoke detection. The fire extinguishing system are installed along the tunnel and in both directions. This system can actively contain fires before it extends. In addition, the tunnel has a number of other systems and equipment for safety.
Tunntech News will be at this event and report about projects, technology and new research.
Read more: http://www.wtc2018.ae
Arild P. Sovik
CEO, editor, senior adviser and tunnel expert. News coverage based on many years of experience from key positions in the industry. Former National Tunnel Manager/Administrativ Authority in Norway, senior principal development manager in a major tunnel contractor company and long experience from activities in national and international professional networks.
