The approximately 27 km long Semmering Base Tunnel is an essential part of the expansion measures in the Baltic-Adriatic Corridor. The new connection between Gloggnitz and Mürzzuschlag ensures a uniformly efficient rail infrastructure between Vienna, Graz and Klagenfurt.

The railway tunnel has a uniform longitudinal gradient of 0.84% and consists of two single-track tubes. The tubes are connected by cross passages at a maximum distance of 500 m, which serve as escape routes and to accommodate technical systems.

The 400 m deep Fröschnitzgraben shaft is located approximately in the middle of the tunnel. At its foot there is an emergency stop. The emergency stop consists of two offset platforms and a rescue room in between. In the event of a fire, the emergency stop represents an area with exceptionally favorable conditions for self-rescue and for the rescue of a passenger train.

The ventilation of the new Semmering Base Tunnel extracts smoke from the affected tube and provides fresh air to the emergency station The ventilation center is located at the top of the shaft.

Gruner provided the planning and design services for the tunnel ventilation system 

Services & studies performed:

• Aerodynamic investigations to determine the maximum longitudinal gradient as part of the route selection process, tunnel ventilation variant study
• railway law submission planning in the areas of ventilation,
• aerodynamics,
• tunnel climate,
• site ventilation for the areas Göstritz and Grautschenhof,
• variant study ventilation / cooling of the cross passages,
• implementation and tender planning for the emergency ventilation and air conditioning of the technical rooms in the cross passages,
• client consulting regarding equipment phase ventilation.

Back to overview