Tunnels play an important role in facilitating traffic and transportation. However, passing through tunnels, especially at night or in adverse weather conditions, can be challenging for drivers. This is where the importance of tunnel lighting comes into play. Due to the enclosed environment and sudden changes in light, tunnels require proper lighting so that drivers can pass through them with sufficient visibility and accuracy. In this article from EDC, we will examine the importance of tunnel lighting, different lighting areas, and tunnel lighting standards.

Benefits of Tunnel Lighting

The following are the benefits of tunnel lighting:

Increase driving safety: Proper lighting in tunnels prevents accidents and incidents. With sufficient lighting, drivers can see obstacles, walls, and other vehicles in time and react appropriately.
Avoiding Sudden Light Changes: Tunnel lighting ensures that light changes from outside to inside the tunnel and vice versa are gradual. These gradual changes prevent light shock and give the eyes time to adjust to the new light.
Reduce eye fatigue and strain: With proper lighting, drivers experience less eye fatigue and strain while driving through the tunnel. This is especially important in long tunnels or when the driver is driving in the tunnel for a long time.
Improve visibility in bad weather conditions: Tunnel lighting helps drivers see their way better and avoid accidents in conditions such as fog, heavy rain or snow.
Tunnel Lighting Zones

Tunnels are generally divided into several lighting zones, each of which requires a specific level of lighting. These zones include:

Threshold Zone: This is the first area where the driver encounters the tunnel and requires the highest level of illumination to ensure a smooth transition from outside to inside the tunnel.

Required luminous flux: 30 to 50 lux. This level is suitable for reducing light shock and for drivers to gradually adapt to the new light conditions.

Transition Zone: In this area, the illumination gradually decreases to allow the driver to get used to the light inside the tunnel.

Required luminous flux: 20 to 30 lux. This level of luminous flux is suitable for providing a gradual transition from ambient light to the interior light of the tunnel and helps drivers to get used to the light inside the tunnel without causing problems or light shock.

Interior Zone: This area of ​​the tunnel usually requires the least amount of lighting, as the driver needs less light to see the road.

Required Luminous Flux: 20 to 30 Lux: In this area, the light should be adjusted so that drivers can see the road well. This level of brightness is sufficient to maintain good visibility and prevent drivers from eye fatigue throughout the tunnel.

Exit Zone: This section should gradually become brighter to prepare the driver to exit the tunnel and enter the natural light outside.

Required Luminous Flux: 30 to 50 Lux. This level of brightness helps drivers gradually adapt to the light outside the tunnel. Also, this luminous flux helps drivers to transition easily and without problems to the outside environment.

Suitable Lights for Tunnel Lighting

For tunnel lighting, choosing the right lights is very important to ensure the safety and comfort of drivers. Here are the types of lights suitable for tunnel lighting and their features:

LED Tunnel Lights

LED lights are an excellent choice for tunnel lighting due to their high efficiency, low energy consumption, and long lifespan.

Features:
Low energy consumption and high light output
Long lifespan and low maintenance
Ability to produce light with different intensities and adjust the light
Fluorescent lights

Fluorescent lights are also used in some tunnels due to their reasonable price and good performance. They produce uniform light and are suitable for damp and dark environments.

Features:
Lower initial cost than LED
Produces uniform light and low heat
Requires more lamp replacement and maintenance
HID lights

With their intense light and high brightness, HID lights are suitable for large and deep tunnels. These lights can provide more natural light and better visibility.

Features:
High light intensity and wide coverage
Suitable for large and deep tunnels
Requires warm-up time before reaching full light intensity
Moisture and dust resistant lights

Especially for wet and dusty tunnels, choosing moisture-proof and dust-proof lights is very important. These types of lights have waterproof and dust-proof housings.

Features:
Resistance to harsh weather conditions
Long life in wet and dusty environments
Less maintenance required
Types of light installation in tunnels

Types of light installation in tunnels include the following methods:

Ceiling Mount: Lights are installed on the ceiling of the tunnel. This method is suitable for providing uniform light throughout the tunnel and is usually done using LED or fluorescent lights.
Wall Mount: Lights are installed on the walls of the tunnel. This method is usually used for side lighting and improving visibility at specific points.
Linear Mount: Lights are installed linearly along the length of the tunnel, usually at medium height. This method is effective for creating uniform light and reducing shadows.
Edge Mount: Lights are installed on the edges of the tunnel, close to the walls. This method is used to provide ambient light and guide drivers.
Bracket Mount: Lights are attached to the ceiling or walls of the tunnel using special brackets. This method allows you to adjust the angle and direction of the light.
Tunnel Lighting Standards

Light intensity: It should be uniform and sufficient to allow drivers to see clearly. The light intensity should be in accordance with local and international standards.
Light distribution: The light should be distributed evenly throughout the tunnel to avoid shadows and dim areas.
Gradual change of light: At the entrance and exit areas of the tunnel, a gradual change between external and internal lighting should be provided to avoid light shock to drivers.
Light color: The color temperature of the light should be suitable so that drivers can clearly identify details and colors. Usually, a color temperature in the range of 3000K to 4000K is recommended for tunnels.
Light performance: The lights should have a long life and high resistance to environmental conditions (humidity, dust and heat). Standards such as IP rating (protection degree) for resistance to environmental elements should be met.
EDC provides a wide range of lighting products for tunnel lighting

EDC provides a wide range of advanced lighting products to meet the needs of tunnel lighting. From high-efficiency, environmentally friendly LED lights to advanced lighting control systems, EDC offers innovative and efficient solutions for providing adequate and safe lighting in tunnels.

The company’s products are designed to not only improve driver visibility and safety, but also reduce energy and maintenance costs. With EDC’s expertise and experience in this field, you can also benefit from free consultation from our experts.