PSI - Issue 84

Antonio Sannino et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 84 (2026) 890–897

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1. The role of ARGO in managing Italy's complex tunnel network The Tunnel Asset Management System, ARGO, is developed by ASPI, the largest toll road operator in Italy, and its subsidiary Movyon, to manage and monitor 597 highway tunnels extending over 365 kilometers. The system performs over 2,500 site inspections annually, enabling a systematic and data-driven approach to infrastructure management. Italy’s transport network is characterized by its inherent complexity, largely attributable to the country’s diverse topography and orographic conditions. The efficient and secure movement of people and goods across this challenging landscape has become a critical strategic priority. In response to this challenge, the Italian Superior Council of Public Works has acknowledged the need for a standardized and integrated framework to manage tunnel maintenance. Consequently, the Council has introduced the Guideline for Risk Classification, Safety Evaluation, and Monitoring of Existing Tunnels (Carigi et al., 2024). This guideline provides a comprehensive methodology for assessing and categorizing risk, evaluating safety conditions, and establishing systematic monitoring procedures for existing tunnels across the national infrastructure network. In this context, enhancing the resilience and sustainability of the motorway network is a central objective.

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Fig. 1. Tunnel distribution of ASPI’s network by year of construction

To support this goal, ARGO also manages and digitalizes the process required by the national guidelines for existing tunnels, ensuring full traceability, standardized documentation, and consistent application of regulatory procedures across the network.

Nomenclature ASPI Autostrade per l’Italia CdA Attention Class

1.1. Guideline for Risk Classification, Safety Evaluation, and Monitoring of Existing Tunnels The guideline establishes a comprehensive and systematic methodology for the safety evaluation and continuous monitoring of Italy’s existing tunnels. This framework, now mandatory for all road tunnels, represents a critical advancement in the nation’s commitment to ensuring the long-term safety, efficiency, and structural integrity of its underground infrastructure. The evaluation framework introduces a tiered system of assessments, ranging from Levels 0 to 4, with increasing granularity and detail: • Level 0: Collection of fundamental asset information, including location, length, lining material, and construction age, encompassing over 600 parameters per asset; • Level 1: Visual inspection-based assessment of asset condition, where key data related to defect extension (k 1 ), magnitude (k 2 ), and severity (G) are recorded for subsequent analysis;