Abstract: The resilience-based systemic safety analysis paradigm offers a scientific and practical approach to managing the operational safety of modern highway tunnels. To gain a deeper understanding of resilience, the authors review advancements in resilience research across various engineering disciplines globally and distill two key insights: (1) resilience is a comprehensive capability that emphasizes performance throughout the entire process, and (2) it comprises distinct attributes, namely robustness, redundancy, resource adequacy, and rapid response. Recognizing the limitations of traditional risk analysis methods in the context of highway tunnel operations, the study underscores the necessity and value of incorporating resilience into safety management frameworks. Operational resilience in highway tunnels is defined as "the ability to prevent, resist, adapt to, and recover from actual or potential disruptions that may hinder the normal operation and traffic flow of highway tunnels". Furthermore, the concepts of full-stage performance, dynamic evolution, and objective quantification are analyzed, leading to the development of a preliminary conceptual framework. To enhance tunnel operational resilience, a strategy is proposed based on four functions: perception, response, learning, and prediction, along with preliminary measures to enhance resilience. In particular, in addressing fire risk, intelligent technologies and systems are highlighted, including advanced fire detection, fire prediction tools, and flexible entry-blocking mechanisms for tunnels. Future research on highway tunnel operational resilience is expected to deepen, providing practical guidance and promoting the scientific and systematic development of tunnel safety management. The ultimate goal is to create a safer, more efficient, and sustainable tunnel operation system through the establishment of a comprehensive theoretical framework.

Key words: highway tunnel, operation resilience, risk, resilience enhancement, intelligentization