Tunnel Planning

The Tunnel Planning online PDH course is a part of the Geotechnical Engineering category of courses. This course provides a general overview of the planning process of a road tunnel project including alternative route study, tunnel type and tunneling method study, operation and financial planning, and risk analysis and management.

Road tunnels are feasible alternatives to cross a water body or traverse through physical barriers such as mountains, existing roadways, railroads, or facilities; or to satisfy environmental or ecological requirements. In addition, road tunnels are viable means to minimize potential environmental impact such as traffic congestion, pedestrian movement, air quality, noise pollution, or visual intrusion; to protect areas of special cultural or historical value such as conservation of districts, buildings or private properties; or for other sustainability reasons such as to avoid the impact on natural habit or reduce disturbance to surface land.

The online PDH course is based on Chapter 1 “Planning” of the US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration publication tilted, “Technical Manual for Design and Construction of Road Tunnels – Civil Elements” (FHWA-NHI-10-034). This course is intended to be used by geotechnical, civil and structural engineers and others interested in learning about tunnel planning, design and construction.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Explain different tunnel shapes and types
• Define geotechnical investigation required for a tunnel project
• Discuss waterproofing types for a tunnel project
• Explain fire and life safety requirements in underground tunnel construction
• Perform tunnel type study
• Discuss operational and financial planning aspects of tunnel design