TUSC - Tunnel and Underground Safety Center

Objective

Our objective is to strengthen and manage research in underground safety and to create value by solving relevant problems identified by TUSC's members and stakeholders. The activities within the framework of TUSC are carried out in six prioritized research areas:

• fire dynamics,
• new energy carriers in vehicles and underground energy storage,
• fixed fire fighting system and ventilation,
• flammable and explosive goods underground,
• evacuation and rescue operations, and
• method development in the field of rescue services.

How TUSC works

TUSC is run by the members jointly deciding on the projects to be carried out. This takes place through a process where the members of the steering group themselves, the participating organizations' staff or external actors come in with project proposals based on an actual need within one of TUSC's prioritized research areas. For example, we want to make it easier for tunnel builders with new safety solutions, we want to give authorities knowledge support and we want to spread the knowledge available within RISE for tunnels, mines and other underground space.

The value of TUSC

TUSC has contributed to the building of knowledge in several areas highlighted by the members. The completed research projects have resulted in both pracitical knowledge that can be implemented in ongoing national infrastructure projects, as well as in scientific international publications. An investigation carried out by Ramböll has shown that the joint financial investment between RISE and the Swedish Transport Administration to develop a new fire fighting system in traffic tunnels was economically profitable in both the short and long term. An independent evaluation of TUSC's first 5 years by the Swedish Transport Administration showed that TUSC is conducting a relevant activity that provides useful practrical results as well as scientific ones.

Some project examples

The video below shows a TUSC funded project where the safety of vehicle gas tanks in the event of a local fire was tested.

TUSC has produced a handbook for fire protection during construction of tunnels and other underground facilities (in Swedish). A presentation about the handbook is given in the video below (In Swedish) from a webinar organized by HållNollan, which is a branch organization that works for a better working environment in the construction industry.