Comparison of safety and ventilation aspects of emergency stations in very long railway tunnels / Sicherheits- und lüftungstechnische Gegenüberstellung von Nothaltestellen sehr langer Eisenbahntunnel

In very long rail tunnels (>20 km), emergency stations (NHS) are provided for trains to stop in case of an incident. Emergency stations are constructionally detailed and equipped so that the passengers can be evacuated quickly and safely in case of an incident such as a fire in a train. Such emergency stations are provided in the existing Lötschberg Base Tunnel (CH, opened 2007) and similar tunnels that are currently under construction, the Gotthard Base Tunnel (CH), Brenner Base Tunnel (A), new Semmering Base Tunnel (A) and Koralm Tunnel (A). The present article compares and explains in detail the ventilation and safety aspects of emergency stations and the construction detailing, ventilation and safety equipment, which have to be considered in the design of an emergency station.