GB2413142A

GB2413142A - Roundabout arrangement for road tunnels

Info

Publication number: GB2413142A
Application number: GB0427258A
Authority: GB
Inventors: H C Ignaz Walter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-04-15
Filing date: 2004-12-13
Publication date: 2005-10-19
Also published as: GB0427258D0

Abstract

A road tunnel arrangement with first and second pairs (1, 2) of tunnel tubes (1', 1''; 2', 2'') which extend parallel to each other and accommodate roads which can each respectively carry traffic in one direction (3) for traffic in opposite directions, the pairs (1, 2)running substantially at right angles to each other, characterised in that both pairs of tunnel tubes (1, 2) are arranged at substantially the same depth and at their crossings enclose a parallelepiped (4) of natural earth, and along each outer side (5) of the roads carrying traffic in one direction (3) running past the parallelepiped (4) the earth is removed (6) to form a roundabout arrangement.

Description

Road tunnel arrangement The invention relates to a road tunnel arrangement

according to the preamble of claim 1, to a method for production of such a road tunnel arrangement, and to a road tunnel network using such a road tunnel arrangement.

It is estimated that the traffic in Europe and in particular in the gateway and developing countries will grow strongly for the next 30 years or so. Here, the greatest traffic growth will take place in the so-called mega-cities, i.e. metropolises and conurbations with many millions of inhabitants. Irrespective of the public transport systems, in particular the local public passenger transport systems in such cities, the existing inner city roads will no longer be able to cope with the increasing traffic volume. In addition, a major shift to the local public transport systems is not possible, not only due to lack of acceptance, but also because the local public transport systems do not have the capacity to absorb a large part of the private traffic on top.

JP 10246005 describes a concept for supplying energy to a conurbation using tunnels and tunnel tubes, but in which it is only indicated in passing that the traffic can be carried in tunnels. FR 2681088 relates to a road tunnel arrangement for making conurbations accessible to traffic, in which a ring road is also provided plus a plurality of road tunnel tubes which are arranged at regular intervals inside this ring road and have road traffic connections to the ring road and run at a depth below the utility supply and disposal systems of the conurbation, with underground car parks with devices providing access to the surface of the conurbations for persons and goods.

Lastly, EP O 999 307 A2 of the same applicant discloses a road tunnel arrangement for making conurbations accessible to traffic with all the features of the preamble of claim 1, and in which in particular reference is made to the embodiment example according to figure 4 of the named specification which shows a chess board-like pattern of road tunnel tubes crossing at an angle of 90 , with each tunnel tube being designed to accommodate a road carrying traffic in one direction and neighbouring tunnel tubes carrying traffic in opposite directions.

Although the road tunnel arrangement described in EP O 999 307 A2 represents a considerable advance compared with the known arrangements, it is complicated in design and therefore expensive because the intersecting road tunnel tubes are arranged at different depths in order to produce an arrangement free of crossings. At every point at which two tunnel tubes cross, side turn-offs and so- called spirals (cf. figure 2 in EP O 999 307 A2) must be used as these side turn-offs and spirals also have to bridge the difference in height between the crossing road tunnel tubes.

Therefore, the object is to develop a road tunnel arrangement of the kind described so that it is easier and less expensive to produce and yet still guarantees smooth traffic flow.

This object is achieved with the characterizing features of claim 1. Advantageous variants are disclosed in the subordinate claims.

The core idea of the invention is to construct the crossing road tunnel tubes all at the same depth under the ground and in each case to combine two parallel road tunnel tubes to form a pair for traffic in opposite directions, each road tunnel tube accommodating a carrying traffic in one direction with a plurality of lanes. At the point at which two pairs of tunnel tubes cross an extensive roundabout arrangement is provided into which four tunnel tubes debouche with incoming traffic and from which four tunnel tubes carry off traffic. The support problems which arise here due to the extremely extensive undertunnelling in the area of the roundabout arrangements are resolved in that a parallelepiped is left untouched at the centre of every roundabout arrangement and thus the naturally formed stable earth acts as the central support for the extensively undertunnelled area of the roundabout arrangement.

The arrangement is designed so that it represents an economically optimum solution from the engineering viewpoint. In fact, all four road tunnel tubes can be produced with straight line tunnel boring machines which are used as standard in tunnelling and known to the specialist. The special areas required in the area of the crossings to set up the roundabout arrangements are produced by special equipment, however the tunnel boring machines can also run straight on through at the location of the later roundabout without there being any need to employ special construction methods at the location of the roundabout. Therefore, first of all, simple straight tunnel tubes are produced and at the crossings which result automatically further earth is then removed by special equipment in order to prepare the ground area for the roundabout arrangements.

Two embodiment examples of the invention are explained in greater detail in the following with reference to a single accompanying drawing in each case, in which: figure 1 shows a plan view of a first form of embodiment of a road tunnel arrangement according to the invention, and figure 2 shows a plan view of a second form of embodiment of a road tunnel arrangement according to the invention.

In both forms of embodiment of the road tunnel arrangement according to the invention, two pairs 1 and 2 of tunnel tubes 1', 1", 2', 2" intersect underground, for example underneath a conurbation. The first pair 1 consists of the two single tunnel tubes 1' and 1" which run parallel to one another at a distance of some 30 m from one another. The second pair 2 consists of the two tunnel tubes 2' and 2" which also run parallel to one another again at a distance of 30 m from one another. The tunnel tubes 1' and 1" of the first pair 1 run at right angles to the tunnel tubes 2' and 2" of the second pair 2, at the same depth below the surface so that the crossing arrangement shown in figures 1 and 2 is obtained.

Each tunnel tube 1', 1", 2', 2" contains a road carrying traffic in one direction with a plurality of lanes, three lanes in the illustrated embodiment examples. Each tunnel tube is produced in a manner known per se, namely for example with a straight line tunnel boring machine, in particular a shield-driving machine, i.e. using methods which are known from tunnelling and mining. Furthermore, each tunnel tube is internally lined and reinforced, but this is not described in detail in the following since these measures are also known from mining and tunnelling.

The tunnel tubes 1', 1', 2', 2" are preferably located at a depth of approximately 30 - 50 m below the surface, for example underneath a conurbation.

In the view from above (plan view) the two crossing pairs 1 and 2 of tunnel tubes enclose a rectangle 4 which is a square in the two embodiment examples due to the equal spacing of the tunnel tubes 1' and 1" of the first pair 1 and the tunnel tubes 2' and 2" of the second pair 2. The natural earth remains completely untouched inside this square since the straight tunnel arrangements 1', 1", 2', 2" each run past and bound this rectangle. Viewed three- dimensionally, the square 4 corresponds to a parallelepiped which consists of natural compacted earth and supports the roof of the entire roundabout arrangement described in greater detail in the following.

Opposite each of the four outsides 5 of the rectangle 4 at the centre of the area of the crossing, the earth is removed in the hatched areas 6. Each area 6 is bounded on one side by the outer edge - in relation to the centre of the arrangement - of the line of a tunnel tube (e.g. 2") and the inner edge of the line of the two tunnel tubes of the other pair (e.g. 1', 1) running at right angles to it, the examples relating to the hatched area 6 shown on the right in figures 1 and 2. These hatched areas 6 are produced by special excavating equipment after completion of the tunnel tubes 1', 1", 2', 2". It can be seen from the drawings that the volume which is additionally to be excavated for the areas 6 is small compared with the existing volume produced already by the shield-driving machines during the production of the tunnel tubes 1', 1", 2', 2".

To complete the engineering work, the outsides 5 of the central rectangle can be structurally reinforced, e.g. concreted, when particular geological conditions apply, and in particular when the rectangle consists of loose earth. In the same way, the entire roof and wall area of the arrangement can be reinforced structurally.

The horizontally and vertically hatched circle segment shaped areas immediately adjoining the outsides 5 of the square 4 in the figures and the annular hatched area outside these areas are under-tunnelled and excavated since they form the extensions of the road tunnel tubes, but are not used for the roundabout. These areas can either be left free and asphalted or buildings or other facilities can be located there, e.g. police, rescue services, fire brigade, standby/emergency services, monitoring services, etc. Preferably, each road carrying traffic in one direction 3 inside each tunnel tube 1', 1', 2', 2" exhibits three lanes, however, this can also exhibit two, four or more lanes. Preferably, each roundabout exhibits the same number of lanes so as to allow smooth passage from the roads carrying traffic in one direction on to the roundabout and off the latter again.

In the area of the mouth of each tunnel tube 1' or 2'' feeding traffic on to the roundabout arrangement, it is also advantageous to remove earth between this tunnel tube 1' or 2" and the roundabout arrangement. Doing this creates the viewing openings 7 shown in the figures between the tunnel tube 1' or 2' and the roundabout arrangement, and the vehicles approaching the roundabout have a better view of the vehicles coming off the roundabout. In the view from above (plan view), this viewing opening 7 can have roughly the shape of a triangle or some other form.

It is also advantageous that the remaining earth at the outer corner points A of crossing tunnel tubes 1', 1", 2', 2" in the view from above (plan view) is removed forming a bevel or convex rounded end, firstly in order to guarantee better visibility and secondly to reduce the consequences of an accident in the event of accidents in this area.

While what has been said so far applied to both embodiment examples, the second embodiment example according to figure 2 differs from the first embodiment example according to figure 1 in that so much earth is removed from the outer corner points A of crossing tunnel tubes 1', 1", 2', 2" that a turn-off lane 9 is formed by means of which the vehicles can turn off the feeding tunnel tube, e.g. 1', into the departing tunnel tube, e.g. A, without driving on to the roundabout itself.

This arrangement serves to avoid accidents. Here, provision is to be made for traffic-directing measures which instruct the traffic due to turn off to position itself in the right-hand lane in advance.

The invention also relates to a method for producing such a road tunnel arrangement, which is characterized in particular that firstly the road tunnel tubes 1', 1", 2', 2' are produced with simple straight line tunnel boring machines known from existing tunnelling and mining practice. These machines in particular are shield-driving machines. On completion of this preliminary engineering work, the roundabout arrangements are produced by removing the earth on the outsides, i.e. between the individual tunnel tubes, and by rounding in the area of the corner points A, and the surfaces are compacted, and the road surface is laid. This method has the advantage of allowing operation with simple machines known per se and eliminating the need for any additional expense in order to support the entire roundabout arrangement because the remaining block (square 4) performs this supporting function naturally.

As an alternative to the proposed embodiment examples, it is also possible to run the tunnel tubes 2', 2" of the second pair 2 with a different spacing to that of the tunnel tubes 1', 1" of the first pair 1. In this case, the central rectangle 4 is not a square and in addition the result is not a circular roundabout arrangement but an elongated roundabout arrangement which has roughly the shape of an ellipse.

Preferably, the road tunnel arrangement according to the invention is used inside a road tunnel network to make conurbations accessible to traffic, and then a plurality of pairs 1 and 2 are provided which can all run parallel and at right angles, resulting in a chess board-like pattern of road tunnels at the crossing points of which the elongated or circular roundabout arrangements are located. Such a tunnel network preferably runs at a depth underneath the utility supply and waste disposal systems and the other transport systems (e.g. underground and metropolitan railway) of the conurbation, i.e. some 30 - m below the surface. The traffic access from the outside can be provided by a ring road which runs along the periphery of the conurbation and to which the tunnel tubes are linked by road in an appropriate manner known per se. It is also possible for a plurality of ring roads to be provided at different distances from the centre of the conurbation, and at least one of these ring roads can be arranged in a tunnel. Preferably, such a tunnel network also exhibits a plurality of underground car parks which are accessed by road through the tunnel tubes and have access devices for persons and goods, e.g. stairs and lifts, to the surface of the conurbation and which also can include connections to the local and long distance public transport systems.

Claims

1. A road tunnel arrangement with first and second palrs (1, 2) of tunnel tubes (1', 1"; 2', 2") which extend parallel to each other and accommodate roads which can each respectively carry traffic in one direction (3) for traffic in opposite directions, the pairs (1, 2) running substantially at right angles to each other, characterized In that both pairs of tunnel tubes (1, 2) are arranged at substantially the same depth and at their crossings enclose a paralleleplped (4) of natural earth, and along each outer side (5) of the roads carrying traffic in one direction (3) running past the parallelepiped (4) the earth Is removed (6) to form a roundabout arrangement.

2. A road tunnel arrangement according to claim 1, characterized In that in plan view the paralleleplped (4) IS square and the roundabout arrangement is therefore substantially circular.

3. A road tunnel arrangement according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the outer sides (5) of the paralleleplped (4) are reinforced structurally, in particular concreted.

4. A road tunnel arrangement according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized In that the diameter of each roundabout arrangement corresponds to the spacing of the symmetrically opposite outer corner points (A) of crossing tunnel tubes (1', 1"; 2', 2").

5. A road tunnel arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterlsed In that every road carrying traffic In one direction (3) and every roundabout arrangement has at least two, or more, lanes.

6. A road tunnel arrangement according to claim 5, characterized In that three or four lanes are provided.

7. A road tunnel arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterlsed In that in the area of the mouth of each tunnel tube (1'; 2") feeding traffic to the roundabout arrangement, earth Is removed between this tunnel tube (1'; 2") and the roundabout arrangement In order to create a viewing opening (7) between the tunnel tube (1'; 2") and the roundabout arrangement.

8. A road tunnel arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that in plan view the viewing opening (7) produced by the earth removed between the tunnel tube (1'; 2") and the roundabout arrangement has roughly the shape of a triangle.

9. A road tunnel arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that In plan view the earth remaining at the outer corner points (A) of crossing tunnel tubes (1', 1"; 2', 2") is removed forming a bevel or convex rounded end.

10. A road tunnel arrangement according to claim 9, characterlsed ln that so much earth is removed at the outer corner points (A) of crossing tunnel tubes (1', 1"; 2', 2") that a turn-off lane (9) connects the roads carrying traffic In one direction (3) of the tunnel tubes (1', 1"; 2', 2") meeting one another at this corner point directly, without using the lanes of the roundabout arrangement.

11. A method for the production of a road tunnel arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterlsed in that the tunnel tubes (1', 1"; 2', 2") are bored with straight line tunnel boring machines, and at the outer side (5) of each road carrying traffic In one direction (3) enclosing the paralleleplped (4) the earth IS removed (6) to form a roundabout arrangement.

12. A method for the production of a road tunnel arrangement according to claim 11 characterized In that the straight line tunnel boring machines are shield driving machines.

13. A road tunnel network for making conurbations accessible to traffic, characterized by a plurality of road tunnel arrangements according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 10.

14. A road tunnel network according to claim 13, characterized In that for making a conurbation accessible to traffic It runs underneath the utility supply and disposal systems of the conurbation, preferably at a depth of 30 to metres under the conurbation.

15. A road tunnel network according to claim 14, characterized in that at least one ring road 1s arranged along the periphery of the conurbation, to which the tunnel tubes are linked by road.

16. A road tunnel network according to claim 15, characterlsed in that a plurality of ring road are arranged at different distances from the centre of the conurbation.

17. A road tunnel network according to claim 15, characterized in that at least one ring road is also arranged underground in a tunnel.

18. A road tunnel network according to any one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that a plurality of underground car parks accessed by road through the tunnel tubes are provided with access devices for persons and goods, to the surface of the conurbation.

19. A road tunnel network according to claim 18, characterized In that the access devices are stairs and/or lifts.

20. A road tunnel network according to claim 19, characterized in that connections to the local and long- distance public transport systems are accessed directly through the access devices.

21. A road tunnel arrangement substantially as described herewith with reference to and as shown In Flgure 1 or Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

22. A method for the production of a road tunnel arrangement substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in Figure 1 or Flqure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

23. A road tunnel network substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.