Project Overview
The Dublin Tunnel is a critical transport route, carrying over 20,000 vehicles daily and easing congestion around Dublin City Centre. To ensure the safety and efficiency of this 4.5km dual‑bore tunnel, Egis Road & Tunnel Operations (ERTO) relies on a complex network of systems to monitor traffic, manage incidents, and communicate with tunnel users. Following a successful demonstration of PDS’s Public Address & Voice Alarm (PAVA) system and proven integration capability, ERTO selected PDS to modernise its Control and Monitoring System (CMS) and upgrade the tunnel’s communication infrastructure.
The Challenge
ERTO required a robust, high‑integrity solution capable of providing complete operational oversight and delivering clear, reliable messaging throughout the tunnel.
Key challenges included:
- Poor acoustic conditions within the tunnel, leading to unclear messaging with the existing system.
- The need for 100% audio coverage, including service buildings and toll plaza areas.
- Integrating multiple independent safety and monitoring subsystems into a single, unified CMS.
- Ensuring emergency communications could reach all users, including via in‑vehicle radio rebroadcasting.
- Maintaining system resilience and minimising disruption during installation.
The Solution
PDS delivered a fully integrated Public Address & Voice Alarm solution and a new CMS to provide complete, real‑time control of tunnel operations.
PAVA System
- Ensures 100% loudspeaker coverage across both bores, service buildings and the toll plaza.
- Integrates with the radio rebroadcast system, allowing emergency messages to be heard through vehicle radios.
- Achieves excellent Speech Transmission Index (STI) performance, overcoming challenging acoustics.
- Includes directional sound evacuation beacons to guide users safely in an emergency.
- Delivers both clear live and pre‑recorded announcements.
Control & Monitoring System (CMS)
- Provides operators with seamless integration of:
Over Height Detection, Environmental Sensors, Linear Heat Detection, Variable Message Signs and PAVA subsystems. - Enables alarm/event logging, data analysis, and real‑time incident management.
- Built on a non‑proprietary, scalable architecture, ensuring long‑term adaptability and market responsiveness.
- Enhances operator and maintenance workflows through secure, wide-ranging data transmission.
Jeff Burt“PDS delivered a reliable, high quality PAVA system, fully meeting our expectations, particularly for sound quality and system availability. Their team of engineers, worked proactively with our project team to ensure a smooth project delivery with minimal disruption to road users”
Erto – Tunnel Director
Conclusion
The Dublin Tunnel project demonstrates how PDS’s integrated approach delivers measurable improvements in safety, clarity and operational efficiency. By combining a high‑performance PAVA system with a fully unified CMS, we have enabled operators to monitor, manage and respond to tunnel conditions with far greater confidence and precision. Clear communication, resilient architecture and seamless subsystem integration now support both day‑to‑day operations and critical incident response.
Contact Us
Speak to our team to discover how PDS can enhance safety, efficiency and long‑term resilience across your next infrastructure project.
