Identification and Classification of European Bridge and Tunnel Types

Bridges and tunnels on highways and major roads are key elements of the Trans-European Road Transport Network. In order to improve the security of these infrastructures regarding man-made hazards a comprehensive overview about number and different types existing in the different European Member States is necessary. In order to get this overview a survey among road operators in Europe was conducted. The paper describes the comprehensive analysis carried out concerning relevant bridge and tunnel types in Europe and presents classification parameters which will find entrance in a method to identify possible critical bridges and tunnels in a road network. Finally an outlook of the further planned investigation of critical infrastructure failure on road network level is given.