BCP-420-001 Tunnel Lighting Guide Document
BCP-420-001 Tunnel Lighting Guide Document
Based on the document, “Guide for the Lighting of Road Tunnels and Underpasses, CIE 88, 1990”, the goal of a quali-
ty tunnel lighting system is to "ensure that traffic, both during day and nighttime, can approach, pass through, and leave
a tunnel, at the designated speed, with a degree of safety and comfort not less than that along adjacent stretches of
open road".
During daytime hours, this means ensuring that a driver's eyes can safely adapt from brightness conditions just outside
the tunnel portal to a practical illumination level inside. Once the driver's eyes have adjusted, illumination levels can be
further reduced in an effort to minimize energy use, while continuing to ensure that eye adaptation is not adversely
affected. The initial adjustment takes place through a "threshold" zone. This is followed by a "transition" zone, which
facilitates safe adaptation to a minimum acceptable level in what is referred to as the "interior" zone. Lighting levels for
the threshold and interior zones are determined based on a variety of factors including:
• Traffic speed
• Traffic volume
• Tunnel length
• Geographic orientation
• Approach characteristics
DAYTIME LIGHTING
The transition zone is split into three or more reduction steps, each with typically no less than one third the roadway
luminance of the previous step. Threshold and transition zone lengths are determined based on traffic speed.
TUNNEL LIGHTING BASICS
NIGHTTIME LIGHTING
During nighttime hours, the eye is adapted to low roadway luminance levels. Based on the consensus of experts, a
minimum value of 2.5 cd/m² should be maintained throughout a tunnel at night.
UNIFORMIT Y
Roadway uniformity is critical to visibility and safe adaptation in a tunnel. Based on luminance values, a tunnel
lighting layout should be designed to ensure that uniformity ratios do not exceed 2 to 1, average to minimum, and 3.5
to 1, maximum to minimum.
DESIGN PRACTICE
A variety of methods can be used to generate target design values, which are discussed at length in the “Recommended
Practice for Tunnel Lighting, IESNA, RP-22-96”. Some of the information in the IESNA document can be subject to
interpretation, and although TIR Systems Ltd. welcomes the opportunity to prepare budgetary design layouts, final
designs should be approved by a qualified professional.
UNDERPASSES
Depending on approach conditions and length, if light penetration during daytime hours is adequate, uniform
lighting at nighttime levels may be all that is required. Longer underpasses should be treated like tunnels.
ILLUMINATION QUALITY & SAFETY
The primary function of a tunnel lighting system is to ensure driver safety and comfort during both daylight and
nighttime conditions. Several lighting methods can be considered, which provide varying degrees of balance between
roadway hazard visibility ("object contrast") and a driver's perception of the ease with which they can
navigate through a tunnel. Even with optimum hazard visibility, a driver's confidence can be reduced due to other
lighting factors like poor roadway uniformity and dark walls. This can lead to erratic behavior such as unnecessary
braking, significantly increasing the potential for vehicular accidents. Fixture brightness within the driver's field of view,
and corresponding potential for disability glare are also important factors to consider in selecting a lighting system.
FLICKER EFFECT
As a driver passes by a succession of light sources, a stroboscopic effect results, which depending on frequency and
duration, can result in severe driver discomfort. This phenomenon, known as the “flicker effect”, is typically a concern
for longer tunnels, and can be completely eliminated with the use of a continuous linear system. For point source
options, however, fixture spacing must be carefully considered.
DIRECTIONAL SYSTEMS
Counter-beam systems direct light towards the driver, placing objects in negative contrast relative to the roadway. High
object visibility is achieved very efficiently, but depending on fixture layout and other design parameters, sometimes at
the expense of roadway uniformity. This method also increases the impact of shadowing from trucks and the potential
for blind spots due to headlight and daylight contribution. Pro-beam systems direct light away from the driver, placing
objects in positive contrast. It is generally considered an inefficient method for achieving recommended roadway
luminance values, and therefore, has been used very infrequently.
LINEAR SYSTEMS
Linear systems, which predominantly comprise of fluorescent options, are typically recommended for longer tunnels.
This is especially prevalent in Europe where studies have shown that fluorescent installations are perceived as brighter
and more comfortable than tunnels lit to the same level using point source fixtures. In addition to elimination of the
flicker effect, continuous linear systems also provide a strong guidance element that helps to minimize driver uncertain-
ties by clearly defining the path ahead. Fluorescent options, however, can present maintenance difficulties due to lumi-
naire design constraints, and typically large lamp quantities for a given project.
TIR SOLUTION
Both the Tunnel Light Pipe and Tunnel Dual Beam products provide symmetric distribution, maximizing roadway
uniformity and driver confidence, while effectively and efficiently illuminating potential roadway hazards. In contrast to
the "flashlight" approach of directional systems, the resulting uniform wash of light creates a comfortable
environment and an optimal balance of the lighting factors critical to safety.
The Tunnel Dual Beam is designed for the relatively high daytime light level requirements in threshold and
transition zones. Efficiency is maximized while a 45° cutoff angle ensures minimum potential for disability glare.
For daytime interior zones and nighttime conditions, the Tunnel Light Pipe system provides linear lighting quality with the
maintenance advantages of point source fixtures. Lamps can be located on 40' (12.2m) centers while delivering excep-
tional roadway uniformity and linear guidance benefits. The diffuse emitting surface virtually eliminates
factors contributing to disability glare.
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
Roadway tunnels typically present a tremendous maintenance challenge for the responsible authority. The harsh
environment results in a short life for many luminaire designs, and lane closures required for relamping and other
routine maintenance can be costly and highly problematic to the flow of traffic.
CONVENTIONAL SYSTEMS
Fluorescent systems, although capable of providing excellent illumination quality, can be difficult to maintain. Due to the
size of the lamps, fixture designs require a large perimeter seal, which has proven to be a difficult design challenge
resulting in high cost, time consuming lamp change, and eventual internal lens degradation. Combined with a typically
large lamp quantity for a given project, fluorescents are not an ideal option from a maintenance
perspective.
Conventional HID fixtures are less challenging to seal, and can facilitate quick lamp change, but illumination
quality can be compromised, and the number of fixtures required to meet a tunnel's diverse lighting needs can again be
excessive.
TIR SOLUTION
The Tunnel Light Pipe and Tunnel Dual Beam are premium quality products specifically designed for exceptionally long
life in harsh tunnel environments. Routine maintenance requirements are minimized resulting in significant life cycle
cost benefits, particularly when compared to fluorescent options.
Both luminaires are fabricated from high-grade stainless steel for excellent corrosion resistance, and lamp access is
achieved without moving the lens, enabling simple reliable seals and quick lamp change. Ballasts are remote, allowing
placement in more accessible areas, and their life is extended given that they are not exposed to heat from the lamp.
HPS standby lamps can be used, offering a rated life of 40, 000 hours. Both fixture types are IP-66 rated and suitable
for pressure washing.
For daytime interior zones and nighttime conditions, the Tunnel Light Pipe system provides linear lighting quality
with the maintenance advantages of point source fixtures. Lamps can be located on up to 40’ centers while delivering
exceptional roadway uniformity and linear guidance benefits. The light guide distribution elements are permanently
sealed at the factory and are maintenance-free other than occasional external cleaning.
TUNNEL LIGHT PIPE PERFORMANCE
For daytime interior zones and nighttime conditions, the Tunnel Light Pipe system provides linear lighting quality with the
maintenance advantages of point source HID fixtures. Lamps can be located on up to 40' centers while delivering
exceptional roadway uniformity and linear guidance benefits. Each luminaire houses a single metal halide or high
pressure sodium lamp up to 400 watts, and the diffuse linear emitting surface virtually eliminates factors contributing
to disability glare.
Based on the dimensions and fixture locations shown in examples A and B, maintained average roadway
luminance estimates for a variety of tunnel widths and fixture lengths are summarized in the table below. Photometric
files are available in standard IES format, or if preferred TIR can prepare point-by-point lighting calculations for your
specific case.
20'-0" (6.1m)
20'-0" (6.1m)
15'-10" (4.83m)
EXAMPLE A EXAMPLE B
15'-10" (4.83m)
Width Width
Based on the dimensions and fixture locations shown in the example, maintained average roadway luminance estimates
for a variety of tunnel widths and fixture spacings are summarized in the table below. Photometric files are available in
standard IES format, or if preferred TIR can prepare point-by-point lighting calculations for your specific case.
20'-0" (6.1m)
15'-10" (4.83m)
Width
Schematic diagrams for the Tunnel Light Pipe and Tunnel Dual Beam products are shown below. Refer to the
corresponding product cut sheets for additional information
TIR SYSTEMS LTD., A WORLD LEADER IN DELIVERING SPECIALTY LIGHTING SYSTEMS, IS BUILDING
THE FOUNDATIONS FOR TOMORROW’S LIGHTING. THROUGH SOUND INNOVATION AND PROVEN
TECHNICAL CAPABILITY, TIR IS DEVELOPING, DESIGNING AND MARKETING THE CORE
TECHNOLOGIES THAT WILL ALLOW SOLID STATE LIGHTING (SSL) TO MOVE TO THE FOREFRONT OF
MAINSTREAM LIGHTING.
TIR Systems Ltd. 1 800 663 2036
3350 Bridgeway St. T 604 294 8477
Vancouver BC F 604 294 3733
Canada V5K 1H9 www.tirsys.com