Road tunnel lighting

Cornmon Nordic guidelines

Report No. 4: 1995

Committee 61: Bridges and tunnels, subcommittee tunnels

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 June 1995 )JV F

Road tunnel lighting

Common nordic guidelines

Report No. 4: 1995

Committee 61: Bridges and tunnels, subcommittee tunnels
Foreword
NVF Committee 61, Bridges and Tunnels, has set up a Sub-Committee whose task is to prepare
draft guidelines for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of traffic tunnels.

The Sub-Committee has previously prepared NVF report No. 6, "Ventilation af vejtunneler"
["Ventilation of road tunnels"] (1993), which, after minor revisions, will appear in English in
1995.

The Sub-Committee consists of permanent members, supplemented by specialists to give the

reports a high technical standard.

For the present report on tunnel lighting the Sub-Committee had the following composition:

Akademiing. Jens Vejlby Thomsen, Road Directorate, Denmark.

Director Jens Gudum, Hansen & Henneberg, Denmark.
Dipl.ing. Olli Niskanen, Highway Authority, Finland.
Overing. Erik Norstnlm, Road Directorate, Norway.
Overing. Jan Eirik Renning, Road Directorate, Norway.
Civ.ing. Bernt Freiholtz, Highway Authority, Sweden.
Civ.ing. Peter Aaito, Highway Authority, Sweden.
Civ.ing. Bengt Braimvall, Highway Authority, Sweden.

The report gives an account of the objectives and functional requirements for lighting
installations and other factors that influence visibility in tunnels for road traffic without cyclists
and pedestrians.

The Sub-Committee hopes that the guidelines will be used In the design, renovation and
maintenance of lighting installations.

As the guidelines are not a Nordic standard, departures from them can be expected in practice,
and their use does not necessarily involve a common standard for lighting installations in road
tunnels in the Nordic countries.

The original text of the report is in Danish.

 Contents
o Resume . . ...... ...... . ..... . ... . . .. . ..... . ..... . .. . . 5

1 Objectives and functional requirements ...... . ... . .. . ......... 6

2 The function of the tunnel lighting . ...................... . ... 7

3 Definition of zones and luminances . .... . ..... . ...... ........ 8

3. 1 Adaptation luminance (LA) ....................... . . . . 8
3. 2 Threshold zone and threshold zone luminance (LT) .. ....... 9
3. 3 Transition zone and transition zone luminance (Lo) . . . . . . . . .. 9
3.4 Inner zone and inner zone luminance (L,) . . .
. . . . . . .. . ... . 9
3.5 Exit zone and exit zone luminance (LuD) . . . . . . . . . . . 9
•
• • •
•
•

4 Requirements for zone lengths and zone luminances by day (main-

tained values) ... ... ..... . .. . . . .. ... .
. . . ..... . . . . . . . . . 10
4.1 Adaptation luminance LA. . . . . .... . . . . ............... 10
4.2 Threshold zone and threshold zone luminance Lr ... . ... . . 13
4.3 Inner zone luminance L, . ........... . .... . ....... . . . 13
4.4 Transition zone length So and luminance Lo . . . ... . . . . . "
. 14
4.5 Exit zone length and luminance ... . . . . . . . . ... .. . ... . . 15

5 Other technical requirements (maintained values) . ... ... . .... . . 16

5.1 Distribution of carriageway luminance by day ....... . .... . 16
5.2 The entire tunnel zone by night. . . . . ............. . ... . 16
5.3 The luminance of the tunnel walls . . . .. . ............... 16
5. 4 Glare ........ . . ..... . . . ..... . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 17
5.5 Flicker ... . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . ............ . ... " 17

6 Dimensioning and stepping of the lighting installations . . . . . ... . . . 18

7 Control of the illumination levels .. . ....... . . . ........... . .. 19

8 The form of the lighting installations . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . ... .. . .. 20

9 Other matters .... .... . .... .. . . .. .

. . .. ... .... . ...... .. 22

10 Emergency power . .... . ..... . . . . . . .. . . ............ . .. . 23

11 Daylight screens at the entrance . . .....

. . . . ... . . . . . . .. . . . . 24

12 Maintenance . . ... . ..... . ........... . ........ . . . .. .. . . 25

13 Examples of the determination of the adaptation luminance by Method

3 . .......... . ..... . ................ . ..... . .... . ... 26

References.. . . . . . . .......... . ........ . . ... ........... .... 31

Figure 2 . . ...... ...... . .......... .. ................. .. ... 3 2

Fig. 3 The Limfjord Tunnel. Photograph taken 100 m from the tunnel
entrance . . ...... . ....... . . .. .... ...... . . . .. . . .... . .. 33

Fig. 4 The Tingstad Tunnel. Photograph taken 110 m from the tunnel
entrance . . . . .. .. .. ... ....... ........... ..... ...... .. 34

Fig. 5 The Gnistang Tunnel. Photograph taken 110 m from the tunnel
entrance .. .. . ... . ..... . . . .. . . .... . . . ............ . ... 35

Graph 1: Needed luminance in the different positions in the threshold

and transition zones . ..... . . ..... . . .... .... . . ... . .. 36

Survey of reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
o Resume

The report deals with Jighting in road tunnels for motorized traffic without cyclists and
pedestrians.
The report first describes the primary aim of the Jighting - to ensure traffic safety by
illuminating all important objects during the entire passage.
The technical requirements for the lighting, by day and by night, with the associated definitions
of zones and zone luminances, are then given.
The tunnel is divided into a threshold zone, a number of transition zones, an inner zone and an
exit zone.
For each zone, requirements are set up for the carriageway luminance as a function of the
adaptation luminance in the open, the speed and the traffic intensity. In addition, requirements
are proposed for the luminance of the tunnel walls and the limitation of glare and flicker effects
of the installation.
On the basis of the technical requirements, the dimensioning, stepping and control of the lighting
installation are dealt with.
An account is also given of the form of the installation, including the components to be supplied
with emergency power, and other matters affecting visibility in the tunnel.
Finally, the use of daylight screens at the tunnel entrance to facilitate the transition from daylight
to the tunnel Jighting level is treated.
The report concludes with a section on maintenance and three examples of calculations of the
adaptation luminance in the stopping distance from the tunnel entrance.

5
1 'Objectives a nd func tional
requirements
The objective of lighting in road tunnels is to ensure that traffic can enter, pass through and
leave the tunnel, by day or by night, with the same level of safety as on the adjacent roads.
To achieve this it is necessary for the carriageway to be clearly visible throughout the length of
the tunnel, and that the carriageway and tunnel walls give a clear picture of the road.

It is also important that the road markings (road stripes) are clearly visible, i.e. there must be
sufficient contrast between the painted markings and the road surfacing.

Finally, it is important that objects on the carriageway are visible at a sufficient distance, i.e.
there must be adequate contrast between the object and the carriageway and/or tunnel walls.

To achieve these objectives, the lighting must meet the following requirements:

The lighting shall give the carriageway an adequate luminance level, and the luminance
shall be uniformly distributed over the carriageway, in wet as well as dry conditions.

The angle of incidence of the light relative to the line of sight shall be such as to give
high visibility to the road markings, in wet as well as dry conditions.

The lower part of the tunnel wall must receive an adequate level of luminance.

The lighting must not give rise to glare.

The lighting must not produce flicker.

6
2 The function of the tunnel lighting
The most important function of the tunnel lighting is to illuminate the tunnel sufficiently to
enable the drivers to see all that needs to be seen during the entire passage of the tunnel.

Visibility and lighting are most critical during the day, because the eye, accustomed to daylight,
cannot immediately adapt to the relative darkness of the tunnel.

Because it takes time for the eye to adapt, it is necessary for the light intensity to decline from
daylight to the lower level in the tunnel over a certain distance.

How long this distance should be, and what levels of illumination are needed while traversing
it, depend on the speed and the light intensity in the open at the tunnel entrance.

7
3 Definition of zones and luminances
To describe the necessary lighting in the tunnel sections, a number of zones, each with a specific
lighting requirement, have been defined as shown schematically in Figure 1.

Furthermore, values for the braking distance are determined on the basis of the regulations for
road geometry that apply in the country in question.

L
TunnelstrC2knlng

t
Udk.. rsel

Stondselaongde Taors- Overgongs­ Indre zone Udk..rsels­

kel­ zone zone
zone

Figure 1

3.1 Adaptation luminance (LA)

g
The adaptation luminance is the luminance to which our si ht is accustomed in the open at a
stopping distance from the tunnel entrance.

8
3.2 Threshold zone and threshold zone luminance (Lr)
The threshold zone is the section of the tunnel that is visible before one drives into the tunnel;
its length is equal to the stopping distance.

The threshold zone luminance is the necessary carriageway luminance in the tunnel if one is to
be able to see a stopping length ahead when approaching the tunnel entrance.

3.3 Transition zone and transition zone luminance (Lo)

The transition zone follows the threshold zone, and is the section in which the luminance
declines to the level in the inner zone. The transition zone luminance is the carriageway
luminance necessary to be able to see a stopping length ahead from any point in the threshold
zone and the transition zone.

3.4 Inner zone and inner zone luminance (L1)

The inner zone lies between the transition zone and the exit zone. The inner zone luminance is
the carriageway luminance necessary for an acceptable level of traffic safety in the tunnel by
day.

3.5 Exit zone and exit zone luminance (Luo)

The exit zone is the last part of the tunnel, in which the eye begins to adjust to the outdoor
lighting level.
The exit zone luminance is the carriageway luminance necessary to prevent an excessive contrast
between the luminance in the tunnel and the luminance in the open.

9
4 Requirements for zone lengths and
zone luminances by day (maintained
values)

4.1 Adaptation luminance LA

To determine the required luminance in the threshold zone of the tunnel, it is necessary to
determine the adaptation luminance .
. In the braking distance up to the tunnel entrance, the adaptation of the eye is primarily
determined by the size of the tunnel opening in the visual field and the luminance of the surfaces
(especially the carriageway) which are near the line of sight; it is determined to a lesser degree
by the tunnel surroundings and any skylight above the tunnel.

At high speeds with long stopping distance the tunnel opening fills a smaller part of the visual
field than at low speeds and short stopping distance. With a free horizon above the tunnel
opening, the sky appears closer to the line of sight than with buildings or trees around the tunnel
entrance.

The adaptation luminance thus depends both on speed and the tunnel surroundings, so that high
speed and a free horizon give the highest adaptation luminance, and low speed and high
buildings the lowest adaptation luminance.

There are three methods for determining the adaptation luminance L '
A

Method 1:

LA is determined on the basis of empirical correlations with speed and surroundings.

A set of empirical levels for the adaptation luminance is given in Table 1, in which the
surroundings are divided into 3 categories and speeds into 2 intervals.

2
Table 1. Empirical adaptation luminance LA in cd/m with different surroun­
dings and at different speeds

Speed 50-80 km /h 80-110 km/ h

Surroundings

Free horizon �5000 cd / m2 �6000 cd / m2

Low buildings, bushes �4000 cd/ m2 :::5000 cd / m2

High buildings, trees :::3000 cd / m2 :::4000 cd / m2

The method is rapid but approximate, and does not take factors specific to the tunnel entrance
into account.

10
 Method 2:

The adaptation luminance is determined as the mean luminance �o in a 20° wide circular field
around the line of sight when one is at the braking distance from the tunnel entrance.

The method requires a perspective drawing or photo of the tunnel entrance and its surroundings,
and a measurement or calculation of the areas and luminances of the various surfaces.

In CIE 88, 1990 (1), it is suggested that a choice be made between three stopping lengths (60,
100 and 160 m), corresponding to three speeds (60-70, 90 and 110 km/h respectively).

It is further proposed that the surroundings be divided into sky, road and other areas, and that
�o be calculated as:

�o =
y*La + p*� + E*�

where y is the area of sky as a % of the visual field

P is the carriageway area as a % of the visual field

E is the remaining area as a % of the visual field

La is the luminance of the sky

� is the carriageway luminance

� is the luminance of the surroundings

The following are approximate magnitudes of various luminances, which differ slightly from the
estimated values for the Nordic countries given in Sect. 13:

Sky 8-16 kcd/m2

Carriageway 3-5 kcd/m2

Rocks 1-3 kcd/m2

Buildings 4-8 kcd/m2

Fields 2 kcd/m2

The method takes the characteristics of the specific tunnel into account, but if a result better than
that obtainable by method 1 is to be achieved, the luminances of the various areas in the visual
field must be chosen correctly. However, the method involves making the systematic error of
giving equal weights to all surfaces in the visual field, regardless of their position relative to the
.
line of sight.

11
Method 3:

The adaptation luminance is determined by giving the luminances of the various surfaces weights
depending on their position in the visual field, as in calculating the veiling luminance.

The method is based on the assumption that the sensitivity of the retina is affected by the
surroundings in the same way that the eye is affected by glare, where the equivalent veiling
luminance is a measure of the glare effect.

The calculation of the veiling luminance for determining the threshold zone luminance is given
in an appendix to CIE-88-90, and the method has been further developed and tested in a
number of Norwegian tunnels, as described in EFl report TR3728(2).

It is proposed to go a step further and omit the calculation of the veiling luminance; instead, the
luminances in the visual field are weighted in the same way as in the calculation of the veiling
luminance.

The method requires, as in Method 2, a perspective drawing or photograph of the tunnel

approach and surroundings, together with a determination of the luminances of the various
surfaces.

With the help of a polar diagram (Figure 2) the visual field is divided into surfaces that
contribute with the same weight, and the mean luminance 4L of each surface evaluated. The
adaptation luminance L A is then determined by calculating the mean value of the calculated
surface luminances.

n
LA =
l
( /n) '2 4L
1

The method has not yet been used in practice, but it should give a better result than Method 2,
and can be recommended if a more accurate value of L A than that obtainable from Method 1 is
desired.

12
 4.2 Threshold zone and threshold zone luminance Lr
The necessary luminance in the threshold zone Lr, besides being the adaptation luminance in the
stopping distance from the tunnel entrance, is dependent on the adjustment of the eye when
approaching the tunnel entrance. The higher the speed, the less time the eye has to adjust from
the luminance in the open to the luminance of the tunnel entrance and its surroundings.

This means that the necessary luminance in the threshold zone depends on the speed, and must
be a higher percentage of the adaptation luminance when th� .speed is high than when it is low.

The length of the threshold zone must be equal to the stopping length and is thus determined
by the speed.

Table 2 gives the length of the threshold zone and the ratio of the threshold zone luminance Lr
to the adaptation luminance LA at various speeds.

Table 2. The threshold zone length and the ratio k between the threshold
zone luminance and the adaptation luminance, at various speeds

Speed Threshold zone length k = LrILA

50 km/h 40 m 0.04

60 km!h 50 m 0.05

70 km/h 65 m 0.05

80 km!h 80 m 0.06

90 km!h 100 m 0.06

100 km!h 120 m 0.07

110 km!h 150 m

,
0.07

As Table 2 shows, the threshold zone luminance should normally be from 4% to 7% of the
adaptation luminance.

With low traffic flows, the tabulated values can be reduced by approx. 50%, especially at speeds
near the lower end of the range.

The threshold zone luminance Lr shall be present in the first half of the zone; in the second half
it can decline uniformly to 40% at the end of the zone, cf. Figure 5.

4.3 Inner zone luminance L,

The necessary inner zone luminance by day is chiefly dependent on the speed and intensity of
the traffic.

13
 Table 3. Luminance level in the inner zone as function of speed and traffic
intensity

Carr iageway mean Traffic intensity

luminance in cd/m2
Low Medium High

Speed 50-70 1 2 3
km/h
70-90 2 4 6

90-110 4 8 12

The luminances adopted in practice vary from country to country.

The lighting level should be increased under difficult visibility or traffic conditions, e.g. dark
walls, approach and exit lanes in the tunnel, etc.

In long tunnels, where the drive-through time exceeds 2-3 minutes, the inner zone luminance
by day can be reduced to the nighttime level, as shown in Table 7.

4.4 Transition zone length So and luminance Le

The transition zone is necessary to enable the eye to adjust to the lower lighting level in the
tunnel. The length of the transition zone is currently determined by using the equation given
below. This equation appears to be in need of revision, as it gives zone lengths that are
considered excessive.

The transition zone length So is at present determined by the speed (V) in kmlh, the threshold
zone luminance (Lr) and the inner zone luminance (LJ. It is given by:

v Lr
So =
.« _ )"().71 - 1.9) (m)
3.6 �

The luminance Lo at any point in the the transition zone can be determined from the following
expression: S
Lo Lr (1,9 + 3,6 . -rl•4
= .

V
where Lr is the threshold zone luminance in cd/m2
S is the distance from the start of the transition zone in m
V is the speed in kmlh

Lo as a function of the distance d, determined by the speed, can be read off from Graph 1.

The carriageway luminance in the transition zone can be reduced in steps, provided that the
luminance at any point is above the Lo curve and the ratio between the luminance of one step
and the next does not exceed 3 (in special cases 5).

14
4.5 Exit zone length and luminance

The exit zone is the last part of the tunnel, in which the eye begins to adjust to the higher
outdoor level. The carriageway and tunnel walls in the exit zone can thus seem dark. This effect
can be compensated for by increasing the luminance in the last 60 metres to 5 times the
luminance in the inner zone.

Whether this additional luminance is necessary for safety is debatable; it should therefore be
considered optional.

15
5 Other technical requirements (maintai­
ned values)

5.1 Distribution of carriageway luminance by day

The distribution of luminance on the carriageway by day shall meet the uniformity requirements
for the highest illumination class in the Nordic road lighting regulations, as given in Table 6.

Table 6. Uniformity of the luminance by day

Speed V Uniformity L ongitudinal uniformity

km/ h Lmin / Lmean L min / Lmax

dry wet dry

V :;; 80 0 , 35
0 ,4 0 , 15
V > 80 0 ,6

5.2 The entire tunnel zone by night

The lighting by night shall meet the requirements for the relevant illumination class in the
Common Nordic guidelines for road lighting, as given in Table 7.

Table 7. Luminance and uniformity by night

Surround- Speed Luminance Uniformity L ongit.

ings. km / h cd / m2 L min / �min / uniformity
Lmean Lmid Lmid Lmin / Lmax
dry wet dry

V :;; 80 0 , 35
Lighted 2
V > 80 0 ,6
0,4 0 ,15
V :;; 80 0 , 35
Unlighted 1
V > 80 0 ,6

5.3 The luminance of the tunnel walls

As the visibility of the tunnel walls helps the drivers to keep to the traffic lane, and as the walls
at the tunnel entrance occupy the greater part of the visual field, it is important that they have
.
a certain luminance.

The tunnel walls should therefore be light in colour and illuminated up to at least 2 metres above
the carriageway, so that their mean luminance is at least equal to that of the carriageway. The
wall luminance should also be distributed along the tunnel as uniformly as possible.

16
5.4 Glare

The disability glare from the lighting must be limited in such a way that the Threshold
Increment (TI) does not exceed 15%.

The value of TI is calculated from the following expressions:

0.8
TI = 60. Ly/Lmean if Lmean S 5 cd/m!

TI = 95 •
T /Lmean 1'05
'-'V 1'f Lmean > 5 cd/m!

where Lmean is the mean luminance of the carriageway and Ly is the veiling luminance from all
luminaires in the visual field within 20° above the horizontal.

5.5 Flicker frequency

To avoid unpleasant flicker from the lamps, the distance between them should be such that the
frequency with which a vehicle passes them lies outside the range 2.5 - 15 Hz. The distance
between lamps at various speeds should lie outside the intervals given in Table 8.

Table 8. Intervals within which the distance between lamps gives rise to
flicker

Speed Flicker interval

50 km/h 0.9 m - 5.6 m

60 km/h 1.1 m - 6.7 m

70 km/h 1. 3 m - 7.8 m

80 km/h 1.5 m - 8.9 m

90 km/h 1. 7 m - 10 m

100 km/h 1.9 m - 11m

110 km/h 2 m - 12 m

Flicker avoidance is particularly important in long tunnels; a certain amount of flicker is .

acceptable in the threshold and transition zones, and in tunnels with a drive-through time of less
than 2 minutes.

17
6 Dimensioning and stepping of the
lighting installations
The lighting installations are dimensioned on the basis of the requirements for the operational
levels in the various zones.

In the threshold and transition zones, and possibly also in the exit zone, a high level that can be
regulated according to the intensity of daylight outside the tunnel is required; in the inner zone,
a low level that can be regulated from day-level to night-level is all that is needed.

The lighting installation must therefore be capable of operating at several emission levels or
steps, consisting of the basic step - the minimum lighting level throughout the tunnel in daytime
- and a number of additional steps, that constitute the supplementary lighting in the entry zones
and possibly the exit zone. The basic step is reduced at night to the nighttime level either by
dimming all the luminaires or switching off some of them.

The supplementary steps in the threshold and transition zones, and possibly in the exit zone, are
coupled in as the intensity of daylight increases, so that the required level of illumination in
these zones relative to daylight is maintained (the k values in Table 2).

The number of supplementary steps should be determined by balancing the saving of electricity
via a rapid uncoupling of part of the illumination against the cost of adding steps to the
installation.

The number of supplementary steps is usually 3 to 5.

With reversible operation in 2-duct tunnels, it should be possible to establish a threshold and
transition zone illumination in the exit zone sufficient to permit vehicles to enter the tunnel at
the max. permissible speed.

18
7 Cont rol of th e illumination levels
The necessary lighting in the threshold and transition zones is detennined by the adaptation
luminance.

The adaptation luminance can in principle be determined by measuring the veiling luminance
at the stopping distance from the tunnel entrance, from the observation point of the driver.
Equipment for measuring the veiling luminance is available, but is not nonnally used in
connection 'with tunnel lighting.

The equipment normally used measures the luminance �o in a 20° field, and is likewise set up
at the stopping distance from the tunnel entrance and at the driver's point of observation.

As the carriageway is frequently the part of the visual field that has the greatest influence on the
adaptation luminance, the lighting level can also be controlled by the horizontal lighting level
on the carriageway. This can be measured by a horizontally oriented photo-cell, screened in the
same way as the surroundings screen the carriageway from the sky. This method has the
advantage of enabling the equipment to be placed at a distance from the traffic, so that the cell
is protected and accessible for cleaning and inspection.

When the measured value rises above or falls below one of the values at which a step is to be
coupled in or uncoupled, a control signal shall be given. To prevent coupling in and uncoupling
resulting from short-period changes in the illumination, e.g. from drifting clouds, the
coupling/uncoupling should be effected with a delay that should be adjustable.

Coupling in could for example be delayed by 5 minutes, and uncoupling by 10 minutes.

It should be made possible to adjust the level at which a given step is coupled in or uncoupled
without changing the coupling levels of any of the other steps.

As the adaptation luminances at the two tunnel entrances are often different, it should be made
possible to control the lighting levels at the entrances independently.

19
8 The form of the lighting installations
The luminaires can be mounted either on th e walls or the ceiling, and should normally be as
high as possible above the carriageway.

The most effective and suitable light sources are fluorescent tubes and high-pressure sodium
lamps with clear cylindrical bulbs. Low-pressure sodium lamps can be used, but are less suitable
because of their low colourrendering.

Fluorescent tubes can be dimmed to under 10% of their maximum light output; high-pressure
sodium lamps can be dimmed to approx. 50% of the maximum.

For the basic lighting level, both low-wattage high-pressure sodium lamps and fluorescent tubes
are suitable. For the supplementary steps, high-pressure sodium lamps of higher wattage are
suitable.

If fluorescent tubes are used for the basic level, the best optical effect and the maximum
uniformity of carriageway luminance is obtained by placing the luminaires in a continuous line
along the tunnel, and dimming them at night.

If high-pressure sodium lamps are used, the series of point-lights must meet the requirements
for uniformity of carriageway luminance as well as give the lowest 2 metres of tunnel wall as
uniform a luminance as possible.

Normally the luminaires will be set up in groups, and the distance between groups will exceed
the critical interval for flicker given in Table 8.

In each group, the luminaires needed to give the required illumination level are coupled in. The
nighttime level can sometimes be established by dimming all the luminaires to a level below the
basic (daytime) step.

The illumination should normally be distributed symmetrically in a vertical plane across the
tunnel.

·
A continuous line of luminaires can have maximum light intensity across the carriageway; a
series of point-sources should have maximum intensity diagonally forwards and backwards to
the carriageway areas midway between the luminaires.

Luminaires placed at the walls shall illuminate the lowest 2 metres of the opposite wall as well
as the carriageway. Luminaires placed in the ceiling can illuminate both walls, but if they are
placed close to the walls and the light-source is a series of points, the luminaires should
illuminate the opposite wall.

Placing the luminaires at the ceiling vertically above the edge of the carriageway, or on the
walls, has the following advantages:

1. The lighting gives the best contrast between the road markings and the road surface.

2. Light reflection by a wet road, surface is kept to a minimum, giving a better uniformity
of carriageway luminance in wet conditions.

3. The luminaires do not produce reflections in the bonnet of one's own car or in the rear
window of the car ahead.

20
4. The luminaires can be serviced easily without interrupting the traffic.

Counterbeam lighting

Counterbeam lighting is a special form of lighting in the threshold and transition zones, and is
described in CIE 88, 1990.
It consists of a beam in the direction opposite to that of the drivers' vision; the aim is to
illuminate vertical surfaces as little as possible, to give the maximum contrast with the
carriageway surface.

As the carriageway has some reflectivity even when dry, one obtains a given carriageway
luminance with a lower light emission, and it is claimed that the increased contrast reduces the
required level of carriageway luminance. This gives lower installed power and operational costs,
and has resulted in widespread use of counterbeam lighting.

However, counterbeam lighting has a number of disadvantages that may outweigh the above­
mentioned advantages. The three most important are:

Counterbeam lighting reduces the contrast between road markings and the road surface.

When the road surface is humid or wet, it reflects the luminaires and the uniformity of
the carriageway luminance is low.

Sizeable objects, seen against the much darker background of the carriageway further
into the tunnel, have a lower visibility than with normal lighting.

21
9 Other matters
The following points should be taken into account as they have an important influence on
visibility and the form of the lighting installations:

The road stretch in front of the tunnel entrance should be straight over a length at least
equal to the stopping distance.

The road surface outside the tunnel should be dark over a stretch at least equal to the
stopping distance, with a mean luminance coefficient of approx. 0.06 cd / m2 / Ix.

The largest possible surface around the tunnel opening should be vertical (so that snow
cannot accumulate on it), and as dark as possible.

Where possible, dark trees (such as spruce or pine) should be planted near the tunnel
opening.

For economic reasons, the road surface inside the tunnel should be as light as possible
when a good contrast with the road markings is to be achieved at the same time.

The road markings should be light and as retro-reflective as possible, as the effect of
the Jight from the tunnel entrance is hereby utilized to increase the contrast between
markings and road surface. The effect can be increased by using reflectors with a
strongly retre-reflective surface in the road stripes.

To avoid monotony in long tunnels, the lighting should vary in level or colour over
short stretches at suitable intervals.

The road alignment of the exit ramp should be a curve, and the external ramp wall,
visible from inside the tunnel, should be as dark as possible.

The tunnel entrance should be as large as possible and funnel-shaped so that it fills as
much of the visual field as possible and at the same time admits the maximum amount
of daylight into the tunnel.

To reduce distractions in the visual field, the tunnel ceiling and the installations in it
should be dark and nonspecu!ar.

22
10 'Emergency power
In the event of a power failure the permissi ble speed in the tunnel should be reduced and the
corresponding illumination should be supplied by emergency power.

The installation for the emergency-powered part of the lighting should incorporate fireproof
cables. This also applies to any lighting for use in connection with reversible operation.

23
1 1 Daylight screens at the ent rance
.

The artificial lighting in the threshold zone - and possibly in the transition zone - can be wholly
or partly replaced by daylight; this can be done by establishing a covered road stretch in front
of the tunnel entrance, with a daylight screen that dims the daylight to the level required in the
first part of the tunnel.

A daylight screen can thus reduce the consumption of electricity for the tunnel lighting.
However, it is not easy to get a screen with the usual lattice or slat construction to function
correctly, as the transmittance in sunny weather differs greatly from that in cloudy conditions.

If the screen is sunlight-tight, the transmittance in cloudy conditions is 4-5 times greater than
in sunny weather, when it is approx. 2%. The difference increases the further south the screen
is located. If the lattice/slat construction is opened to such an extent that it is not completely
sunlight-tight when the sun is high, the transmittance can reach 30%. On the other hand, it can
be opened to an extent such that the transmittance when the sun is Iow is 4-8% in sunny
weather and 15-20% in cloudy conditions.

By combining the two types of screen, so that an open, not quite sunlight-tight lattice is
followed by a stretch with a sunlight-tight lattice, it is possible to obtain a satisfactory dis­
tribution of luminance, avoiding the sensation of driving into a black hole under certain daylight
conditions, yet dimming the adaptation luminance so that a significant part of the artificial
lighting can be dispensed with.

The form of the screens must be determined by calculations for the specific case.

The possibility of a substantial reduction in the artificial lighting by means of daylight screens
increases the further north the location, as the lattice can be opened to an increasing amount of
sky.

The advantage of using daylight screens is greatest in open terrain and least in mountainous
areas or with high buildings in the vicinity. In areas with snow and ice, problems can arise with
icicles and slippery carriageway on the stretch under the screens.

24
12 Maintenance
The lighting installations should be dimensioned with a maintenance factor of 0.75, and
maintained so that the calculated operational values are obtained.

The tunnel walls and the accessible parts of the luminaires should be cleaned at intervals
determined on the basis of the daily accumulation of dust and dirt.

The luminaires-must-be sufficiently-watertight (IP class) to enable high-pressure washing down

to be used.

The internal surfaces of the luminaires are maintained by light-source series replacement.

The light-sources are replaced in series when they have burned for their economic service life.
Information on the service life can be obtained from the manufacturer. The burning time for each
illumination level of the installation should be registered.

Burned-out light-sources should be replaced if they result in a carriageway area that is clearly
darker than the surrounding areas.

When the road pavement is replaced, the new pavement should not be darker than the pavement
it replaces.

The monitoring equipment that controls the lighting should be checked and calibrated at least
once per year. The settings of the coupling-in and uncoupling levels for the illumination steps
should also be checked and adjusted.

25
13 Exam ples of the determination of the
ada ptation luminance by Method 3

The adaptation luminance is determined on the basis of a tunnel photograph taken from the
centre of the right-hand traffic lane at a stopping distance from the tunnel entrance.

The polar diagram-(Figure 2) can be used -to divide the visual field into areas that contribute
equally to the adaptation luminance if the photo format is 10 x 1 5 cm and the picture was taken
with an objective of 28 mm focal length. The polar diagram is laid over the picture as shown
in Figures 3, 4 and 5; the centre of the diagram corresponds to the line of sight.

The luminances of the various surfaces in the visual field should be measured in broad daylight,
but if these values are not available the following approximate values can be used. These values
are adapted to conditions in the Nordic countries, and therefore differ slightly from the cm
values given in Sect. 4.1.

Sky 6 - 12
Carriageway 3 - 6
Rocks 2 - 4
Buildings 1 - 8
Fields, trees 1 - 2
Snow-covered surfaces 8 - 12

The calculation is carried out by first dividing the visual field into the various types of surface
(sky, carriageway, etc.), arid then in the polar diagram's net, for each surface type, counting the
number of sector elements that include that surface type.

The contribution of each surface type to the adaptation luminance is given by:

where nl is the number of sector elements in all 9 rings that contain surface type 1.
LI is the luminance of surface type 1.

The adaptation luminance is then found by summing the contributions of the various surface
types

LA = LAI + LA2 + .....

26
Example 1 The Limfjord Tunnel

The following luminances are estimated from Figure 3:

A Sky 10
B Carriageway 6
C Bushes 2
D Road shoulder 4
E Bridge facade 2
F Tunnel opening 0.1

'E sec-
Ring A B C D E F t ors

1 1 11 12

2 3 4 5 24

3 0, 5 4,5 5 2 36

4 2, 5 4,5 5 48

5 3 ,5 6 0,5 2 60

6 4 5 0,5 1,5 1 72

7 4,5 3,5 1,5 1,5 1 84

8 5 4 2 1 96

9 5 3 2,5 1,5 108

Ialt 25 34,5 6,5 6 18, 18 108

25
Sky: - ·10 = 2,31 kcd/m2
108
34,5
Carriageway: -·6 = 1,92 kcd/m2
108
6,5
Bushes: 4 = 0,24 kcd/m2
108
6
Road shoulder: 2 = 0,11 kcd/m2
108
18
Bridge facade: 2 = 0,33 kcd/m2
108

27
 18
Tunnel opening: -- . 0,1 = 0,02 kcd/m2
108
4,93 kcd/m2 5000 cd/m2

28
Example 2 The Tingstad Tunnel

The following luminanees are estimated from Figure 4:

2
ked/m

A Sky 10
B Carriageway 6
C Bushes 2
D Shoulder 6
E Bridge 4
F Tunnel opening 0.1

1: sec-
Ring A B C D E F tors

1 2,5 2.5 7 12

2 3.5 3 5.5 24

3 2 4 1.5 4.5 36

4 2.5 5 1,5 3 48

5 3.5 5 1 1 1 0.5 60

6 4 .5 5 1 0.5 0.5 0.5 72

7 4.5 5 . 1 0,75 0.5 0.25 84

8 5 5 1 1 96

9 5,5 5 0.5 1 108

Ialt 2 7,5 40 4.5 4.25 10.5 21. 25 108

27,5
Sky: ·
10 = 2,54 ked/m2
108
40
Carriageway: . 6 = 2,22 kcd/m2
108
4,5
Bushes: . 6 = 0,25 kcd/m2
108
4,25
Shoulder: · 2 = 0,08 kcd/m2
108
10,5
Bridge: ·
4 = 0,39 kcd/m2
108
21,25
Tunnel opening: . 0,1 = 0,02 kcd/m2
108

LA =
5,51 ked/m2 5500 cd/m2

29
Example 3 The Gnistang Tunnel

The following luminances are estimated from Figure 5:

2
kcd/m

A Sky 8
B Carriageway 5
C Bushes 2
D Shoulder 3
E Mountainside 3
F Tunnel opening 0. 1

E sec-
Ring A B C D E F tors

1 3 9 12

2 4 2 6 24

3 4 2 6 36

4 4. 5 2. 5 5 48

5 2 4. 5 0. 5 5 60

6 2,5 4.7 5 0. 25 0. 5 4 72

7 3.7 5 4.7 5 0. 5 0.5 2. 5 84

8 4 4.7 5 0.7 5 0. 5 2 96

9 4. 5 4.7 5 0.7 5 0.5 1. 5 108

Ialt 16 .7 5 39 2,2 5 7 27 15 108

16,75
Sky: 8 = 1,24 kcd/m2
108
39
Carriageway: · 5 = 1,81 kcd/m2
108
2,25
Bushes: 3 = 0,06 kcd/m2
108
7
Shoulder: · 2 = 0,13 kcd/m2
108
27
Mountainside: · 3 = 0,75 kcd/m2
108
15
Tunnel opening: · 0,1 = 0,01 kcd/m2
108

LA = 4,00 kcd/m2 ... 4000 cd/m2

30
Re fe rences
(1) Guide For The Lighting Of Road Tunnels and Underpases
Publikation: CIE 88-1990
ISBN 3900734259.

(2) Ekvivalent Sl0ringsluminans for ulike utformninger ar tunnelers dagsone (Equivalent

veiling luminance of various types of daylight zone in tunnels)
EFl TR 3728 Report
A. Augdal
ISBN 82-594-0175-4.

31
Figure 2

Polar diagram dividing the visual field into segments of equal weight in the calculation of the
adaptation luminance. The innermost area (the centre of the visual field) is not taken into
account in the calculation.

The scale of the diagram corresponds to a picture format of 10 x 15 cm and an objective of focal
length 28 mm. The picture is to be taken at a braking length from the tunnel entrance, at the
ct:ntre of the right-hand traffic lane, and at a height above the carriageway corresponding to the
position of the driver's eye.

32
Fig. 3 The Limfjord Tunnel. Photograph taken 100 m from the tunnel entrance

33
Fig. 4 The Tingstad Tunnel. Photograph taken 110 m from the tunneJ entrance

34
 Fig. 5 The Gnistang Tunnel. Photograph taken 110 m from the tunnel entrance

35

I
 Graph 1: Needed luminance in the different positions i n the threshold and
transition zones

Speed 1 cm on the abs cissa of the

graph corresponds to :
In the thres- In the transi-
hold zone tion zone

50 km / h 10 m 13 , 9 m

60 km / h 12 , 5 m 16, 7 ID

70 km / h 1 6 , 25 m 19 , 4 m

80 km / h 20 ID 22 , 2 ID

90 km/ h 25 m 25 m

100 km / h 30 ID 27 , 9 m

110 km / h 37 , 5 ID 30 , 6 ID

T h r es h o l d z o n e Tra n s i t i o n zone
-

�� ! <*I��I��

, �I--.- '
" J�I::7-=

' :, I�
......

-
" , 1=
J;':
':1'-'
. f'-'

��, Iq
' , · , ';IJ�
� = .:::s '
n
' ' ,.", � I�lh,i p,

" ;+,' , �4 ' m

, ,, ,. , ' ,
"
,, '" ; , ., ,'' ' ;;"

:�,; �;.,,,,,,,,," I� "-;

'� 7-+�+=. p I� 8F , ::: h���I
L . ' I'l!!!!!!f:!
,, , '
'-.t� ����I'�"�'�.' ��' i���'�' " ����
" ! ,; , ., . ,;, III : I,., I.
���������������-L��:_c�
�I�
�'_·� �
I! '." ' .! I , '. ; 1 ! II' ' ; ' L, " , 'il
' ; " �'�
'! ����'� ' �
: "�
: ; I �"� I, �
. , ��-�, . ,,��
��
�",��
�' � cn ,
6 7 8 9 1 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

D i s t a n c e ( see ta b l e )
 N o rd iSk �
gteknlsk ��� RAPPORTOVERSIKT
Ve
Forbund �=" fra siste- og innevrerende
kongressperiode.
Ajour: 26. juni 1995

1 1 1 989 Traflksiikerbeten nu och i framtiden.

Utskott 52. Traflksiikerbet.

2/1989 Accelerad provning i N orden.

3/1 992 Informationstelrnologi i nordisk trafil"
Utskott 53. Informationstelrnologi och
Ad hoc utskott.
trafikreglering.

3/1989 UdfereIsens betydning for holdbarhet og jrevnhed

4/1 992 Mennesket i vegmaskinen n .
af asfaltbelregninger under klimaets og trafikkens
Utvalg 63 . Vegmaskiner.
p�virkninger.
Udvalg 33. Asfaltbelregninger.
5/1992 Milj6effekter av drift och underhill av vagar och
gator.
4/1989 Modiflsene bindemidler ti1 vegformAI.
Utskon 4 1 . Drift och underhill av vagar och gator.
Urvalg 33. Asfaltbelegninger.

6/1992 Piggdekk og vintervedlilceholdsstrategi i Norden.

5/1989 70-talets betongvagar. TilIstAnd och underhills­
Urvalg 4 1 . Drift og vedlilcehold av veger og gater.
kostnader.
Utskott 34. Viige ns konsouktion.
711 992 Uttnattingskriterier for asfaltbelegninger.
Urvalg 33. Asfaltbelegninger.
6/1989 Broseminarium 22.-24. 5 . 1 989. Dokumentations­
rapport.
8/1 992 Utbildning av maskinfarare i Finland .
Utskott 6 1 . Broar och tunnelkonsouktioner.
Utskott 63 . Vagmaskiner.

1 1 1 990 'funge kllretlljer's nedbrydning af vejbefresteIser -

911992 Nya viigtyper.
et pilot projekt.
Utskott 22. Projektering av vagar och gator.
Udvalg 34. Vejes konstruktion.

10/1 992 Trafikkavvikling i nordiske tunneler.

2/1 990 Drift och underhill i konkurrens.
Urvalg 22. Projektering av veger og gater.
Utskon 1 3 . Administration och arbetsorganisation.

1 1/ 1992 Kvalitetssiikring i vagprojektering.

3/1990 Proportionering af asfaltrnasser.
Utskon 22. Projektering av vagar och gator.
Urvalg 33. Asfaltbelegninger.

12/1992 En miJj6anpassat transportsystem - tre framtid s­

4/1 990 De Dordiske vejdatabanker - i dag og i morgen.
bilder.
UdvaIg 62. Datatelrnologi og mAletelrnik.
Utskott 24. Milja.

5/1 990 Kvalitetssiikring.

1 3/1 992 .R esmanstret och dess urveckling.
Utskon 1 3 . Administration och arbetsorganisation.
Ad hoc utskott. Transport i starre stader.

1/1991 Det s tll rre byers situation o g midler ti1 at forbedre

14/1 992 Ombygning af det eksisterende trafiknet - mu­
den.
Iigheter og felgevirkninger.
Ad hoc udvalg. Transport i stllrre byer.
Ad hoc udvalg. Transport i stllrre byer.

2/1 99 1 Polymer-modificeret asfalt.

15/1 992 Veg, buss eIler bane? - virkninger ay transpor­
Udvalg 33. Asfaltbelregninger.
tinvesteringer.
Ad hoc urvalg. Transport i s tllrre byer.
3/1991 Alternative fmansieringsformer og brugeravgifter i
vejsektoren - Nordiske erfaringer og perspektiver.
1 6/ 1992 Aygiftsordninger i byer.
Udvalg 23. VejtrafikHkonomi.
Ad hoc urvalg. Transport i stllrre byer.

4/1 991 Avgiftsinnkrevning pA veg.

1711992 Storstadstrafik och milja.
Urvalg 53. Informasjonsteknologi og
Ad hoc utskott. Transport i sWrre stader.
traflkkregulering.

1 8/ 1992 Hur p�verkas bygg- och anliiggsmaskinerna ay EG.

5/ 1 9 9 1 N y e slite- o g brereJagstyper.
Utskott 63. Viigmaskiner.
Urvalg 33. AsfaltbeJegninger.

19/1992 Traflksakerhetsatgiirder i vag- och gatumilj6.

1 / 1 992 Teknisk urvikling innenfor vegarbeidsdrift.
Utskott 52. Trafiksiikerhet.
Urvalg 63 . Vegmaskiner.

20/1 992 ADB-strategi. Statusrapport.

2/1992 Lastforeskrifter, brofOrvaltning och armeringskor­
Utskott 62. Datateknologi och manekPlk.
rosion. Rapport fr.l.n seminarium i Nynashamn.
Utskon 6 1 . Broar och tunnelkonstruktioner.
 2 1 1 1 992 Utbildningssituationen i Norden. 6/1994 Tema "Overvaking" - Info om politiets
Ad hoc utskon. Utbildning inom viig- och. traftkkarbeide i Danmark,Finnland ,Norge og
traflksektom. Sverige.
Utvalg 52 - Trafikks ikkerhet.
22/1 992 Stadsport - an forma en stadsentre.
Utskott 24. Milja. 7/1994 Seminar om drift och underhilll av
entrepenader fOr vager och gator.
2311 992 Kvalitet. Utskott 13 - Administration och
Utskott 4 1 . Drift och underMlI av vagar och gator. arbetsorganisation, och
utskott 4 1 - Drift och underhalI av
24/1992 Miljakapasitet. viiger och gator.
Utvalg 24. Milja.
811 994 TrafLkinformationsteknikens (RTI)
2511 992 Asfaltdekker for lavtraflkkene veger. framtid i Norden:Delphi-undersakning.
Utvalg 33. AsfaltbeJegninger. Utskott 53 - Trafikinformationsteknik.

1/1993 Menneskets kapasitet som trafLkant. 911994 Aktuellt om broar och tunnlar.
Utvalg 52. Traflkksikkerhet. Belysning och -underhAIl, k1oridskador,
hang- och snedkabelbroar, triibroar,
2/1 993 BrofOrvaltning, broestetik. Bestiindig brobetong upphandling och kvalitetssaJring.
och teknisk livsliingdsmodulering . Utskott 61 - Broar och tunnlar.
Utskott 61 . Broar och tunneIkonstruktioner.
1 1 1 995 Livsliingdskostnader fOr olika beliiggningstyper
2b/1993 Fire foredrag fra NVF-kongressen i och underhAIls�tgiirder.
Tammerfors 1992. (Redovisning av 1 994ars huvudemne)
Utvalg 65 - Kjareteyer utforming og egenskaper. Utskott 33 - Asfaltbeliiggningar.

31 1 993 Nordisk strategi fOr trafLksakerhetsarbete i tatort. 2/1995 Nordisk asfaltforskning 1994.
Utskon 5 2 . Traftksiikerhet. (Redovisning av 5 nordiska FoU-prosjekt)
Utskott 33 - Asfaltbelaggningar.
4/1993 Tunge Imreteyer's nedbrydning af
vejbefestelser - Supersingeld�k 3/1995 Ledelsesinformasjonssystemer i Norden
Udvalg 34 - Vejes konstruktion. Status rapport
Utvalg 62 - Datateknologi og mAleteknikk
5/1993 Vejafvanding.
Udvalg 34 - Vejes konstruktion. 4/1995 Belysning afvejtunneler
Utvalg 61 - Broer og tunneler (underutvalg tunneler)
6/1993 Ventilation av viignmniar.
Utskott 61 - Broar och tunnelkonstruktioner.

7/1993 Informasjon tiI vejholder.

Utvalg 41 - Drift og vedligeholdelse af veje
og gader.

8/1 993 Prioritering av mindre trafLksakerhets�tgiirder i

tiitort.
Utskott 52 - Traftksiikerhet.

9/1993 Rapport fran NVF-seminarium i Reykjavik,

augusti 1 993 .
Utskott 61 - Broar och tunnelkonstruktioner.

1 / 1 994 Rer i vegbygging.

Utvalg 34 - Vegens konstruksjon.

211994 Diickens betydelse fer ett siikert viig

viiggrepp vintertid.
Utskon 65 - Fordons utformning och
egenskaper.

3/1 994 Har kollektivtrafiken en framtid.

Utskott Ad hoc - Transport i sterre stiider.

411 994 InfofIT1llti on tiI vejholderen.

Utvalg 41 - Drift og vedligeholdelse af veje og
gader. .

511994 Udbud af og tilsyn med driftsarbeijder.

UrvaJg 41 - Drift o g vedligeholdelse af veje og
gad er.
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Can be ordered by phone, fax or post.

.', . I-I
ISSN 0347-2485
ISBN 95 1 -726- 1 1 8-7