Air Quality Report: In Tunnel Air Quality Monitoring, September 2012 1 of 11

M5 East Freeway

Air Quality Report: In Tunnel Air Quality Monitoring

Report 6

September 2012

Air Quality Report: In Tunnel Air Quality Monitoring, September 2012 2 of 11

Document change control

Revision history

Version Issue date Updated by Comments

001 02/10/12 JC Initial Revision

002 16/10/12 JC Change format

003

References

Document name Version Abbreviation

Air Quality Report: In Tunnel Air Quality Monitoring, September 2012 3 of 11

Summary • CCTV was used to monitor conditions within the tunnels and jet fans were used to increase ventilation to ensure tunnel

conditions remained within specified limits.

• The spike in the data on the 18th September 2012, on the CRX monitor AQS305, was due to heavy traffic at 06:15 in the morning.

• The spike in the data on the 17th September 2012, on the Mainline Eastbound monitor AQS301, was due to a closure related incident – possible water on the monitor.

• The Air monitoring station AQS305 in the Cooks River Tunnel is not reading correctly and will be checked in the next maintenance closure to ensure that the data is correct.

Air Quality Report: In Tunnel Air Quality Monitoring, September 2012 4 of 11

Preamble

Air Quality Report: In-Tunnel Air Quality Monitoring This report shows the carbon monoxide and visibility levels in the M5 East Tunnel (Main Tunnel) and the Cooks River Tunnel (CRX Tunnel).

Carbon Monoxide Carbon monoxide (CO) is monitored in the tunnel because exposure to high levels is harmful to peoples health. The limits in the tunnel are

based on World Health Organisation guidelines for short term exposure to CO. The limit for CO in the tunnel is 87 parts per million for 15

minutes and this is a requirement in the Ministers Conditions of Approval for the tunnel. The level of CO in the tunnel is continually measured

and the ventilation system is adjusted to reduce the concentration of CO below the required levels.

Visibility Visibility is measured in the tunnel because poor visibility can make driving conditions dangerous. Reduced visibility or haze in the tunnel is

mainly caused by smoky vehicles, usually diesel trucks. Visibility limits used in the tunnel are taken from the World Road Association guidelines

which recommend the tunnel is closed if the visibility reaches 0.012/m.

15 minute time weighted average This refers to the CO or visibility readings averaged over a 15 minute period with this reading being updated every 15 minutes.

Air Quality Report: In Tunnel Air Quality Monitoring, September 2012 5 of 11

Main Tunnel Ventilation System

ACO604

ACO403

AQS403

AQS404 AQS301

ACO301

ACO302

AQS302

Air Quality Report: In Tunnel Air Quality Monitoring, September 2012 6 of 11

Air Quality Report: In Tunnel Air Quality Monitoring, September 2012 7 of 11

Air Quality Report: In Tunnel Air Quality Monitoring, September 2012 8 of 11

Air Quality Report: In Tunnel Air Quality Monitoring, September 2012 9 of 11

Air Quality Report: In Tunnel Air Quality Monitoring, September 2012 10 of 11

Air Quality Report: In Tunnel Air Quality Monitoring, September 2012 11 of 11