• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.779-793
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• 2019

The ventilation rate (Qreq) requirement in road tunnels is not just a basic information for determining the tunnel cross-sectional area, but also a major factor for the ventilation system selection. The Qreq is predominantly dependent on the vehicle traffic volume, while among others, the vehicle exhaust emissions and permissible standards are critical. This paper analyzes the changes in the Qreq designing criteria and/or recommendations suggested by World Road Association and local authorities over the last 20 years, since the first local designing criteria was established in 1997 by Korea Expressway Corporation. Additionally, based on the updated vehicle emission standards of Ministry of Environment and recent recommendations of the World Road Association (WRA), changes in the Qreq and its effects are studied in terms of the length and grade of the tunnel.