Motorways and tunnels have become an integral part of Sydney's roads and the number of tunnels in Sydney is on the rise. Rosalyn Page takes a fresh look at tunnel safety.
Road rules
You always need to take care when you drive, but it's best to follow the road rules with extra attention in tunnels.
"Tunnels are often constricted which leaves little room for error, so motorists should take added care," says NRMA Director Rob Hugh.
Also, any incident in a tunnel can cause major gridlock and delays and it may take emergency service vehicles longer to respond to the incident. So when you're in a tunnel:
- Avoid unnecessary lane changes
- Follow directions on signage and watch out for any changes in the speed limit
- Always keep a safe distance from the car in front (at least a three-second gap)
- Try not to brake suddenly, especially in peak hour when bottlenecks and sudden stops can occur unexpectedly
- Merge lanes or enter a motorway near a tunnel entrance with care.
Safety features
Sydney tunnels have been built with safety features to minimise the risk of incidents and reduce the disruption to traffic when an incident occurs.
There are emergency exits and special cross passages between tunnels to assist a quick exit. Look for strobe lights to direct you to the nearest exit and follow any advice provided via electronic message boards or your car radio.
"You should keep your car radio on at all times in a tunnel as they are used to deliver up-to-date reports," says Rob.
If you witness or are part of a crash, report it using the nearest emergency phone located at 60-metre intervals within tunnels.
Tunnels are fitted with sprinklers and deluge sprays that douse vehicle fires. If there's a fire, here's what you should do.
- If you see smoke or have been warned there is a fire in the tunnel, pull over and don't enter. Wait for instructions via radio or a message board. Emergency barriers at tunnel entry points stop vehicles driving into a hazardous situation
- If you're in a tunnel and see smoke or fire, pull over, turn off the engine, leave the keys in the ignition and head for the exit, unless otherwise advised by your radio or the electronic message board
- If your vehicle catches fire, stop in a breakdown bay or pull over to the side of the lane and turn off the engine. If it is an engine fire, release the catch on your bonnet and spray the fire through the gap with the tunnel's fire extinguisher (located at 60-metre intervals within tunnels). Don't open the bonnet as fires grow with oxygen
- If your vehicle catches fire and you can't put it out, leave your keys in the ignition and use an emergency phone located on the tunnel's wall to contact the tunnel control room. Follow any instructions they give you. If in doubt simply exit the tunnel. Tunnels are monitored by 24 hour a day closed circuit television and incident response teams are on stand-by.
Clean air
If you are caught in traffic for an extended time, turn off your engine as idling may produce more pollutants.
In longer tunnels, close the windows and turn your ventilation system to 'recirculation'. If you are in a tunnel for longer than 20 minutes, turn the ventilation system to 'fresh'' for five minutes then back to 'recirculation'.
Your tunnel safety checklist
- Remove your sunglasses (unless they're prescription glasses)
- Turn your headlights on
- Leave the car radio on
- Check the electronic message boards (where available) for updates
- Keep a safe distance from car in front
- Avoid unnecessary lane changes
- Take note of emergency exits
- Stay calm in an emergency
- For more details on tunnel safety visit the RTA.
What to do if you suffer from claustrophobia
Tunnels make life more convenient. But for some people, a fear the tunnel will collapse or they will be trapped in an emergency means they just won't use them. According to Tamsen St Clare, Senior Clinical Psychologist and Head SWAHS Anxiety Treatment and Research Unit Westmead, claustrophobia is the avoidance and fear of enclosed spaces, such as elevators and tunnels. She says it can be genetically inherited, though traumatic experiences and environmental factors can also lead to its development.
Tamsen suggests those with claustrophobia confront their fears gradually by driving through a short tunnel first, then progress to more feared tunnels. Also, try to think about the situation rationally rather than focus on the worst case scenario. Ask yourself what is the real risk (or likelihood) of being trapped.
Clinical psychiatrist Dr Kal Thomas says breathing exercises, affirmations and distracting the mind can also be helpful. Both Tamsen and Dr Thomas recommend Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) as a means to overcome claustrophobia.
If you're in a car with someone who experiences claustrophobia the best thing to do is keep calm. "Help the person to see the risk of harm is very low [and] remind them the distress they are feeling is temporary," says Tamsen.
"Distraction and reassurance is helpful... also [make] sure they breathe properly and don't hyperventilate. The driver may have to slow down," says Dr Thomas.
Claustrophobics concerned about the sturdiness of a tunnel, take heart. Its construction is a precise process and many factors are taken into consideration. Brendan Donohue, Project Director for Thiess John Holland says "the Lane Cove tunnel has been designed and built to withstand the loads that it is likely to experience. Its integrity is ensured through a regular inspection and maintenance program."
After a tunnel is built, a full-time maintenance crew is employed to inspect, monitor and repair any works. Sensors and cameras constantly monitor the tunnel's operating systems. For example, the ventilation system is constantly monitored to ensure the air quality meets environmental requirements.
The tunnel is also designed with world-class tunnel safety systems in mind, such as a fire detection and suppression system and emergency evacuation passages as well as a radio break-in message system.
"Evacuation plans are developed and tested before a tunnel opens. Should an evacuation be required, a public address system also provides information."
Brendan also assures us the tunnel has a high capacity drainage system and as such "is not affected by leakage from surface groundwater such as creeks."
