Tunnel-Fire Risk Perception and Management Strategies Among Road Users

摘要

This paper presents a study aimed at investigating road users' behavior in case of a fire in a tunnel. The study is grounded on the idea that in order to effectively prevent accidents and fires in tunnels, it may be useful to take tunnel-users' beliefs, representations, and coping strategies into account (Kouabenan, 1998, 2001; Kouabenan & Cadet, 2005). One hundred and fifty-one road users (firemen, truck drivers, regular drivers, and driving-school students) filled out a questionnaire measuring their perceptions of risks in road tunnels, their awareness of safety and rescue devices, and their behavioral intentions in case of a fire. The results indicated a relationship between fire-risk perception and road-tunnel experience, a tendency toward comparative optimism (CO), an effect of perceived control on optimism, and a relationship between CO and awareness of safety devices. The evacuation behaviors and coping strategies reported by the participants were far from reflecting expected behaviours. Recommendations for a long-term prevention policy bearing jointly on beliefs, behaviors, and improved information and warning systems are suggested.