Study society for underground transport systems
The study society for underground transport systems (short: STUVA ) e. V. is a research institution founded in 1960 with around 230 members. The areas of work include basic research and special studies, with a focus on the areas of underground construction as well as rail and road transport . The company is based in Cologne .
Work of society
The STUVA is a non-profit research company that deals with basic and object studies in the following areas of inner-city traffic and underground construction:
- Special issues of urban traffic (rail, road and pedestrian traffic) in tunnels , at ground level and in high elevation
- Tunnel and civil engineering , load tests on tunnel linings, tunnel driving methods, shotcrete technology , corrosion protection
- Sealing in tunnel, bridge and civil engineering: surface sealing with bitumen or plastic sealing sheeting; Waterproof concrete / joint sealing with joint and swelling tapes as well as injection hoses
- Protection of the environment against noise, vibrations and exhaust gases caused by rail and motor vehicle traffic; Exhaust air purification systems
- Safety issues in the construction and operation of tunnel systems, in particular accident protection, fire protection, operating and ventilation concepts
- Occupational safety when building tunnels to reduce noise, diesel exhaust gases and dust
- Road surfaces and joints made of asphalt on bridges, in tunnels and troughs
- Supply and disposal (small drives), accessible supply channels
Research work is carried out on special individual topics in these areas within the framework of EU projects or contracts for the federal, state and local governments, research funding agencies and business institutions.
At the headquarters in Cologne there is a test facility for testing segments as well as a running facility for testing road surfaces.
Every two years, specialist conferences are held at changing locations.
Publications
The official organ of the STUVA is the magazine "Tunnel", which appears in two languages (German and English) six times a year with a circulation of 4500 copies. Furthermore, the work of the organization is published in the book series “Research + Practice, Underground Transport and Underground Construction” and through research reports from the STUVA itself or through research reports from other institutes.