Regulations and technical requirements for lighting in tunnels
Lighting projects for tunnels are complex undertakings and they have to adhere to very specific regulations. Of course, this is only to be expected given that road safety is at play. Making up for the lack of light inside tunnels using artificial light and, in doing so, taking into account a number of determining factors is key to ensuring that drivers avoid having difficulties or accidents inside tunnels and as they enter or exit them.
En este artículo trataremos...
- FACTORS THAT MUST BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT
- LIGHTING IN TUNNELS: EXISTING LEGISLATION
- NOTABLE SECOM PROJECTS
Factors that must be taken into account
Before proceeding to design tunnel lighting projects, the factors that are key and that have an impact on project calculations must be taken into account. The most important of these are indicated below.
Length, width, format and tunnel perception
Tunnel length is the first factor that needs to be accounted for because it determines how much visibility there is inside the tunnel. Once this information has been gathered, the decision regarding whether or not the tunnel requires daytime lighting can be taken.
Existing legislation divides tunnels into three different categories.
- Tunnels under 25 meters in length: these do not require artificial light during the day.
- Tunnels between 25 and 200 metres in length: the specific conditions of the road have to be analysed in order to determine if artificial lighting is necessary or not.
- Tunnels over 200 metres in length: these tunnels need to be lit during the day and at night so that the aforementioned visual adaptation effect can be achieved.
In addition, there are also other parameters that can have an impact on how easily the interior of a tunnel can be distinguished from the outside. These includes the width, height and geometry of the tunnel itself. These parameters are also decisive when selecting and fitting lights, in addition to calculating the reflected light depending on the curve of the tunnel walls.
Traffic
Another essential variable in tunnel lighting is the number and type of vehicles that pass through it. The following factors need to be accounted for:
- The number of heavy goods vehicles travelling along the route.
- Whether or not access to the tunnel for bicycles, scooters and pedestrians is permitted.
- Whether or not vehicles carrying dangerous goods are permitted.
Road surfaces and weather conditions
Why does the road surface affect the type and intensity of lights that should be installed in a tunnel? The answer is quite simple: because there are different types of surfaces and each has its own reflexivity level.
That is, the road surface and walls or ceiling can make light reflect in one way or another. The most commonly used road surface in tunnels in Spain is R3 class surfacing.
The weather conditions in the area also have an impact on the type of road surface that is used and this also has to be taken into account. For example, if it is a rainy area, road surfaces that significantly decrease the risk of skidding are used. Road surfaces condition the type of lights that are needed in order to ensure optimum visibility inside tunnels.
Tunnel sections that need to be illuminated
Unlike on conventional roads, the illumination in tunnels does not need to be uniform across the entire space. The number of luminaires and the distance between them can vary depending on the area. The different areas include the following:
- Entrance: lighting levels in this spot need to be greater so as to avoid sharp contrasts between the natural light outside the tunnel and the light inside it.
- Transition: in this area, light levels decrease progressively so that people’s eyes can adapt little by little.
- Intermediate: lighting levels in this area are much lower in comparison with all the other areas but they remain sufficient for driving through the tunnel.
- Transition: the light levels begin to progressively increase once again so that drivers can adapt to a brighter environment.
- Exit: at the end of the tunnel, lighting needs to be bright enough so that the human eye can adapt to the conditions outside and avoid suffering from a glare effect on exiting the tunnel.
Lighting in tunnels: existing legislation
The main specifications that are applicable in Europe are those stipulated in Directive 2004/54EC of the European Parliament and European Commission of 29 April 2004 on minimum safety requirements for tunnels in the trans-European road network. In addition, the following Spanish legislation on lighting in tunnels exists:
- CIE publication 88:2004, Guide for the lighting of road tunnels and underpasses.
- UNE-CR 14380:2007 IN, Lighting applications. Lighting inside tunnels.
- Directorate General for Highways, Order 36/2015 on applicable criteria for illuminating roads and tunnels.
This legislation is mandatory for tunnel illumination and all directives must be adhered to and implemented in projects of all kinds. Of course, any additional recommendations made by the authorities must also be adhered to.
Types of lights that can be fitted
Without a doubt, the lights that are most commonly used in tunnels are surface spotlights such as the Esdium Tunnel system. At SECOM, we have a highly qualified team of technicians who are responsible for designing how lights are installed. They use specialist software to draw up tunnel lighting projects that take all existing legislative requirements into account.
Notable SECOM projects
SECOM has worked on a number of interesting projects. In terms of tunnel lighting, the following are particularly noteworthy:
- The Eysturoy tunnel (Norwegian Sea) that is part of the infrastructure that links the islands to the mainland.
- Palma de Mallorca tunnel under the Alfabia Mountains which links Sóller and Palma de Mallorca.
Both of these projects are examples of the work that our company undertakes. We are expert designers and manufacturers of professional lighting systems for tunnels. It is an incredibly specialised field of activity.
