The document “An Engineering Methodology for Performance-Based Fire Safety Design of Underground Rail Systems” shall improve the safety design of underground mass rapid transit systems (MRTS). It shall fill a gap, as current safety requirements for rail tunnels and underground systems, compared to road tunnels, are less specific and lack international harmonization.

 

The focus of this document is on the methodology to be followed while analyzing the effectiveness of any safety measure of MRTS. The performance-based approach aims at integrating the different methods to achieve a safe tunnel design including standards and norms. As the topic is complex, the methodology at hand needs further refinement in the future and is considered as a first proposal only.