铁路隧道的建设正处于前所未有的大发展时期，笔者在总结大量工程成功经验和失败教训的基础上提出了铁路隧道建设的基本理念：隧道必须建成遗产工程；隧道必须进行科学的风险评估；隧道建设必须合理工期、合理造价、合理合同、合理施工方案和设计原则；隧道必须进行信息化施工。提出了单双线隧道选择、隧道纵坡及辅助导洞设置、支护结构设计以及快速施工等隧道设计原则。隧道建设的理念和设计原则可指导今后铁路隧道的规划、设计和施工。

Railway tunnel construction is on the unprecedented development. On the basis of analyzing lots of successful and failing engineering projects, the basic idea for railway tunnel construction was put forward, i.e., railway tunnels must be durable; its risk evaluation should be estimated scientifically; the construction time, cost, contract, scheme and design principle should be reasonable; and railway tunnels must be constructed under information management. The design principles were put forward, such as, the selection of single-line or double-track tunnel, the setting of longitudinal slope and aided pilot tunnel, the design of supporting structure, and fast construction, etc. The construction idea and design principle of railway tunnels would provide guideline for tunnel design and construction.