El túnel del Lomo de Bas en la AP-7 es el más seguro de España

ÁGUILAS.- El Real Automóvil Club de España (RACE) presentó el décimo informe EuroTAP de seguridad en los túneles, en el que se han analizado un total de 31 infraestructuras de este tipo en toda Europa y que, en el caso español, se ha saldado con dos claros triunfadores, el del Lomo de Bas (Murcia), en la AP-7, y el de Guadarrama III (Madrid), en la AP-6, de los cinco túneles examinados con la nota más alta de “muy satisfactorio”.

El paso subterráneo, que acorta en media hora el viejo trayecto Mazarrón-Águilas por la N-332, tiene 1.820 metros de longitud y es la infraestructura más espectacular de esta autopista de peaje, que cuenta con un total de 114 kilómetros desde Cartagena a Vera. La empresa constructora, Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas invirtió, durante 2006-2007 en dicho vial, un total de 700 millones de euros. Registra un tráfico de pocos cientos de vehículos diarios y la concesión es de la empresa "Autopistas del Sureste".

Ignacio Diaz-Pines, director general del RACE, y Antonio Lucas, coordinador de Seguridad Vial de esta entidad, coincidieron en señalar que la preparación de los conductores españoles para circular por los túneles es muy deficiente.

Sobre la existencia de este tipo de infraestructuras en España, un país montañoso y propenso a su construcción, los dos responsables del RACE, aseguraron que túneles de más de un kilómetro hay pocos, pero hay muchos trayectos subterráneos con más de 500 metros de longitud.

De este modo, el RACE recomienda que, en caso de emergencia en un túnel, los pasos que debe dar un conductor es sintonizar de inmediato la emisora de radio que facilita información sobre la situación de esa infraestructura, guardar la distancia de seguridad, anteponer la vida propia a la conservación del vehículo, parar el motor y dejar las llaves puestas para facilitar la retirada del coche y conocer la ubicación de los postes SOS.

Ficha original del estudio:

Lomo de Bas

EUROTAP rating: Very good

Location:	Spain, near Aguilas AP 7 between Cartagena and Vera
Year opened:	2007
Length:	1,797m
Portal height level:	270 / 270m above sea level
Number of tubes:	2 / unidirectional traffic
Speed limit:	80kph
Vehicles per day:	2,760
Share of HGVs:	12.2%
Breakdowns / accidents / fires:	0 / 0 / 0
Risk:	Low

Strengths and weaknesses

• Two tubes with cross-connections as additional escape and rescue routes every 360 metres
• Traffic lights and barriers in front of the portals
• Full video surveillance
• Automatic detection of traffic disruptions, as well as the use of emergency lanes, emergency phones or fire extinguishers
• Emergency lanes the full length of the tunnel
• Emergency phones and fire extinguishers provided every 125 metres
• Evacuation lighting for tunnel escape routes, showing the escape direction and distance to the nearest exit
• No smoke or heat can penetrate into external escape routes, doors are sufficiently fire-resistant
• Automatic fire alarm system, in the event of fire, ventilation is automatically activated
• Ventilation is powerful enough to deal with a fire
• Rescue service vehicles can cross at the portals
• Access for rescue vehicles to neighbouring tube every 360 metres
• Tunnel control centre manned around the clock by trained staff
• Radio communications possible throughout the tunnel for tunnel staff, police and fire brigade
• Up-to-date and complete emergency response plan
• Regular training for tunnel staff
• Fire brigade is well-trained and well-equipped

• Traffic radio cannot be received throughout the tunnel
• No regular emergency drills

Plans for the future

• Installation of a traffic radio system, also making it possible to broadcast additional messages, and a mobile radio system
• Regular emergency drills

Briefly and to the point

• The low risk found for driving through the tunnel was primarily due to the low traffic volume of 3,000 vehicles per day and unidirectional traffic, and a tunnel length of only 1.8 kilometres. The HGV share of more than 12 percent is relatively high. Although there are no restrictions on the transport of hazardous goods, hazardous goods are not transported very often.
• Unidirectional traffic, sufficiently wide lanes, emergency lanes and lighting are the main reasons for the very good result for preventive measures. The tunnel is monitored around the clock in a tunnel control centre manned by trained staff.
• Incidents in the tunnel are automatically reported to the tunnel control centre by video link. If necessary, motorists are guided using traffic lights and variable traffic signs, as well as by information displays at the portals and loudspeakers. An automatic fire alarm system detects fires and activates ventilation. Good training and equipment for the fire brigade and the supply of fire-fighting water in the tunnel ensure effective fire fighting. At least an emergency response plan co-ordinates co-operation between the tunnels control centre and emergency services.
• In the event of fire, there are good necessary preconditions in place for effective self-rescue. The ventilation system draws smoke out of the tube affected in the direction of traffic to a zone where there are usually no people.Anybody downstream from the fire is located in a smoke-free zone and can leave the tunnel through the clearly marked emergency exits.