Safety

Safety considerations in road tunnel lighting

Road tunnels are becoming the solution of choice for combining increasing volumes of traffic with protecting local environments and, especially around urban areas, to avoid impinging on building land. Their safe use is, therefore, of increasing concern, and i-TunneL^®’s control systems and designs are completely focused on achieving the safest possible tunnel environment.

The safe and efficient routing of traffic through tunnels, while not restricting traffic flow, depends largely on the quality and design of both the lighting scheme and control system, ensuring the luminance apparent to the driver is sufficient at all times and stages. Coping with the significant difference in luminance levels between the outside and inside of the tunnel, their effect on the driver’s vision and ability to drive with safety, are critical.

Managing this transition at all times of day and night, for all weather and atmospheric conditions, is the science of road tunnel lighting design and control. It is desirable that this is done with optimum economy while maintaining maximum safety. Many elements of the i-TunneL^® control systems practice this with features such as soft lamp switching, lamp life equalisation, current monitoring and many more.

To provide this safety through lighting scheme design, there are many international and national standards and Codes of Guidance and i-TunneL^® will design your scheme to meet whichever is specified or agreed for your location.

Ultimate reliability of luminaires and control systems is also paramount for safety, as failure cannot be tolerated in a tunnel environment. The track record of i-TunneL^® in delivering safe operation is second to none.