Regardless of this positive outlook; the tunneling industry faces various challenges. However much progress has been made in recent decades and new horizons were opened. Using innovative construction methods and technologies, and utilizing new software for modelling and design, made it possible to face many of the challenges and to construct tunnels with various diameters even in difficult or mixed ground conditions.

The tunnelling industry must be able to provide for needs of the future. Better planning for making best use of subsurface spaces; gaining a better understanding of uncertainties and managing risk; increasing of safety during construction; making use of robotics for maintenance of TBM cutting tools; better understanding of soil conditioning for EPB machines; developing better tools to non-destructively image and evaluate ahead of excavation faces; and making use of past experiences to improve quality of performance whilst reducing unnecessary costs are just few items that could help developing new horizons for the tunneling industry.

This conference aims to provide an opportunity to share relevant knowledge and experience and discuss further development possibilities in tunnelling. The Iranian Tunnelling Association (IRTA) formally invites scientists, university professors, students, researchers, specialists, and professionals involved in tunnelling to participate in this event. Undeniably, an active attendance and participation of those involved in the tunnelling industry in this conference, will guarantee viability and promotion of underground space technologies. In addition to technical sessions and presentations, the conference will include a workshop, a trade exhibition, and technical visits which will surely offer lots of interesting information and also facilitate the establishment of new contacts.