The Eastern Distributor held the largest full-scale emergency simulation exercise ever to be undertaken in a NSW tunnel. 

During the early hours of yesterday morning, Transurban conducted a major exercise to test the coordinated response and evacuation procedures for the Eastern Distributor. Due to the immense scale of the exercise, Transurban coordinated key agencies including  Police NSW, State Emergency Services, St John Ambulance, Fire and Rescue NSW, Roads and Maritime Services, Transport Management Centre and industry representatives to come together to conduct the exercise.

The scenario, which involved over 100 people, simulated a realistic large scale accident within the tunnel, resulting in a fire, multiple accidents and injuries that lead to significant congestion on the broader road network.  

With over 125,000 motorists on average each day relying on the Eastern Distributor to get to where they need to go, regular testing and maintenance of this critical infrastructure is important to ensure the safety of Sydney motorists.

During the exercise, Transurban also trialled cutting edge technology with the aim of ensuiring motorists can evacuate as efficiently and safely as possible, including:

  • additional digital CCTV cameras in the egresses
  • switchable illuminated exit signs to better guide evacuees on foot
  • LED strip lighting around the egress doors to improve visibility
  • Additional broadcast messaging to communicate information to those withinin the tunnel

“As a road operator, safety is our highest priority, testing the responsiveness of assets to major events is critical to ensure the safety of our customers. Our customers can trust us to respond quickly and evacuate them to safety efficiently,” Kris Cooney, Group Executive NSW Business at Transurban, said.

“Engaging with not only emergency service personnel but owners and operators of infrastructure such as tunnels will not only benefit the agencies involved, but enhance their response. To be able to test our response in a semi enclosed environment like a tunnel is a valuable opportunity,” said a police spokesperson.

This exercise is part of a series of activities conducted by Transurban across its assets to demonstrate a world’s best practice approach to emergency response procedures and road safety.