1.9.5

Tunnel restrictions

NOTE: Provisions concerning restrictions for the passage of vehicles through road tunnels are also included in Chapter 8.6.

1.9.5.1

General provisions

When applying restrictions to the passage of vehicles carrying dangerous goods through tunnels, the competent authority shall assign the road tunnel to one of the tunnel categories defined in 1.9.5.2.2. Account should be taken of the tunnel characteristics, risk assessment including availability and suitability of alternative routes and modes and traffic management considerations. The same tunnel may be assigned to more than one tunnel category, e.g. depending on the hours of the day, or the day of the week etc.

1.9.5.2

Categorization

1.9.5.2.1

The categorization shall be based on the assumption that in tunnels there are three major dangers which may cause numerous victims or serious damage to the tunnel structure:

(a)   Explosions;
(b)   Release of toxic gas or volatile toxic liquid;
(c)   Fires.

1.9.5.2.2

The five tunnel categories are the following:

Tunnel category A:

No restrictions for the carriage of dangerous goods;

Tunnel category B:

Restriction for the carriage of dangerous goods which may lead to a very large explosion; The following dangerous goods are considered to fulfil this criterion2:

Class 1: Compatibility groups A and L; Class 2: UN No. 3529;

Class 3: Classification code D (UN Nos. 1204, 2059, 3064, 3343, 3357 and 3379); Class 4.1: Classification codes D and DT; and

Self-reactive substances, type B (UN Nos. 3221, 3222, 3231 and 3232);

Class 5.2: Organic peroxides, type B (UN Nos. 3101, 3102, 3111 and 3112).

When the total net explosive mass per transport unit is greater than 1000 kg: Class 1: Divisions 1.1, 1.2 and 1.5 (except compatibility groups A and L).

When carried in tanks:

Class 2: Classification codes F, TF and TFC; Class 4.2: Packing group I;

Class 4.3: Packing group I; Class 5.1: Packing group I; Class 6.1: UN No. 1510

Tunnel category C:

Restriction for the carriage of dangerous goods which may lead to a very large explosion, a large explosion or a large toxic release;

The following dangerous goods are considered to fulfil this criterion2:

the dangerous goods restricted in tunnel category B, and

the following dangerous goods:

Class 1: Divisions 1.1, 1.2 and 1.5 (except compatibility groups A and L); and Division 1.3 (compatibility groups H and J);

Class 7: UN Nos. 2977 and 2978.

When the net explosive mass per transport unit is greater than 5000 kg: Class 1: Division 1.3 (compatibility groups C and G).

When carried in tanks:

Class 2: Classification codes 2A, 2O, 3A and 3O, and classification codes containing the letter T only or letter groups TC, TO and TOC;

Class 3: Packing group I for classification codes FC, FT1, FT2 and FTC; Class 6.1: Packing group I, except UN No. 1510;

Class 8: Packing group I for classification codes CT1, CFT and COT.

Tunnel category D:

Restriction for the carriage of dangerous goods which may lead to a very large explosion, to a large explosion, to a large toxic release or to a large fire;

The following dangerous goods are considered to fulfil this criterion2:

the dangerous goods restricted in tunnel category C, and

the following dangerous goods:

Class 1: Division 1.3 (compatibility groups C and G);

Class 2: Classification codes F, FC, T, TF, TC, TO, TFC and TOC; Class 3: Class 3: UN No. 3528;

Class 4.1: Self-reactive substances, types C, D, E and F; and

UN Nos. 2956, 3241, 3242, 3251, 3531, 3532, 3533 and 3534;

Class 5.2: Organic peroxides, types C, D, E and F;

Class 6.1: Packing group I for classification codes TF1, TFC and TFW and UN No.3507; and Toxic by inhalation entries for which special provision 354 is assigned in column (6) of Table A of Chapter 3.2 and toxic by inhalation entries of UN Nos. 3381 to 3390;

Class 8: Packing group I for classification codes CT1, CFT and COT; Class 9: Classification codes M9 and M10.

When carried in bulk or in tanks: Class 3

Class 4.2: Packing group II; Class 4.3: Packing group II; Class 6.1: Packing group II; and

Packing group III for classification code TF2;

Class 8: Packing group I for classification codes CF1, CFT and CW1; and Packing group II for classification codes CF1 and CFT

Class 9: Classification codes M2 and M3.

Tunnel category E:

Restriction for the carriage of all dangerous goods other than those for which ‘(-)’ is marked in Column (15) of Table A of Chapter 3.2 and for all dangerous goods in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 3.4 if the quantities carried exceed 8 tonnes total gross mass per transport unit..

NOTE: For the dangerous goods assigned to UN Nos. 2919 and 3331, restrictions to the passage through tunnels may, however, be part of the special arrangement approved by the competent authority(ies) on the basis of 1.7.4.2.

1.9.5.3

Provisions for road signs and notification of restrictions

1.9.5.3.1

Contracting Parties shall indicate tunnel prohibitions and alternative routes by means of signs and signals.

1.9.5.3.2

For this purpose, they may use signs C, 3h and D, 10a, 10b and 10c and signals according to the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals (Vienna, 1968) and the European Agreement supplementing the Convention on Road Signs and Signals (Geneva, 1971) as interpreted by the Resolution on Road Signs and Signals (R.E.2) of the UNECE Inland Transport Committee Principal Working Party on Road Transport, as amended.

1.9.5.3.3

1.9.5.3.3 In order to facilitate international understanding of signs, the system of signs and signals prescribed in the Vienna Convention is based on the use of shapes, and colours characteristic of each class of signs and wherever possible, on the use of graphic symbols rather than inscriptions. Where Contracting Parties consider it necessary to modify the signs and symbols prescribed, the modifications made shall not alter their essential characteristics. Where Contracting Parties do not apply the Vienna Convention, the prescribed signs and symbols may be modified, provided that the modifications made shall not alter their essential intent.

_____________________
2 The assessment is based on the intrinsic dangerous properties of the goods, the type of containment and the quantity carried.

1.9.5.3.4

Traffic signs and signals intended to prohibit access of vehicles carrying dangerous goods to road tunnels shall be affixed at a place where the choice of alternative routes is possible.

1.9.5.3.5

When access to tunnels is restricted or alternative routes are prescribed, the signs shall be displayed with additional panels as follows:

No sign: no restriction

Sign with additional panel bearing the letter B: applies to vehicles carrying dangerous goods not allowed in tunnels of category B;

Sign with additional panel bearing the letter C: applies to vehicles carrying dangerous goods not allowed in tunnels of category C;

Sign with additional panel bearing the letter D: applies to vehicles carrying dangerous goods not allowed in tunnels of category D;

Sign with additional panel bearing the letter E: applies to vehicles carrying dangerous goods not allowed in tunnels of category E.

1.9.5.3.6

Tunnel restrictions shall apply to transport units for which an orange-coloured plate marking in accordance with 5.3.2 is required, except for the carriage of dangerous goods for which ‘(-)’ is marked in Column (15) of Table A of Chapter 3.2. For the dangerous goods assigned to UN Nos. 2919 and 3331, restrictions to the passage through tunnels may, however, be part of the special arrangement approved by the competent authority(ies) on the basis of 1.7.4.2. For tunnels of category E, they shall apply also to transport units for which a marking in accordance with 3.4.13 is required or carrying containers for which a marking in accordance with 3.4.13 is required.

Tunnel restrictions shall not apply when dangerous goods are carried in accordance with 1.1.3, except when transport units carrying such goods are marked in accordance with 3.4.13 subject to 3.4.14.

1.9.5.3.7

Restrictions shall be published officially and made publicly available. Contracting Parties shall notify the secretariat of UNECE of such restrictions and the secretariat shall make this information publicly available on its website.

1.9.5.3.8

When Contracting Parties apply specific operating measures designed to reduce the risks and related to some or all vehicles using tunnels, such as declaration before entering or passage in convoys escorted by accompanying vehicles, such operating measures shall be published officially and made publicly available.

1.10

SECURITY PROVISIONS

NOTE: For the purposes of this Chapter, security means measures or precautions to be taken to minimise theft or misuse of dangerous goods that may endanger persons, property or the environment.

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