Press Release ECE/TRANS/00/7
Geneva, 10 July 2000
EXPERTS ON SAFETY IN TUNNELS MEET IN
GENEVA
Following last years tragic accidents in the Mont Blanc and
Tauern tunnels a UN/ECE1/ Ad Hoc Multidisciplinary Group of Experts on
Safety in Tunnels has been created and will meet for the first time in Geneva on 10 and 11
July 2000.
The Ad hoc Group is expected to prepare a set of internationally agreed
recommendations aimed at reducing the risk of traffic accidents in European tunnels and
minimizing the consequences of such accidents in case they occur.
Given the multiplicity of factors which may
be involved in tunnel accidents, i.e. the infrastructure, signs and signals, traffic
rules, vehicles, drivers' behaviour, tunnel operation, emergency measures, transport of
dangerous goods, etc., the Ad hoc Group is composed of UN/ECE Government experts in those
areas. Experts from non-governmental organizations concerned will also participate in the
work of the Ad hoc Group.
The recommendations of the Ad hoc Multidisciplinary Group of Experts
will subsequently be examined by the UN/ECE Inland Transport Committee with a view to
identifying those which could be made legally binding through their introduction in the
various UN/ECE Agreements and Conventions concerned.
Many European Governments have expressed their interest in the work of
the Multidisciplinary Group, including countries where large numbers of tunnels are in
operation, such as Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, and where safety in tunnels
has become a major concern.
_______________________
1/ The UN/ECE is the Geneva
based European branch of the United Nations. Its membership comprises all European
countries, the United States of America, Canada, Israel and the Republics of the Caucasus
and Central Asia.
* * *
For any further information regarding this Meeting you may contact:
José Capel Ferrer, Director, or
Jerzy Witkowski, Economic Affairs Officer
Transport Division
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE)
Palais des Nations
CH - 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Telephone: (+41-22) 917 2400 or 917 3259
Fax: (+41-22) 907 0039
E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]
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