Tunnel and underpass lighting

Tunnel lighting offers its own set of challenges

and requires not only specialist products but
also the proven experience to implement it.
Philips Lighting offers you both. In addition to
our modular ranges of purpose designed
luminaires we can advise on how to light by
day, when to light and how much to light.

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 Tunnel and underpass lighting

Tunnel and underpass lighting

What you ought to know about tunnel lighting
For smooth traffic flow, in bright daylight and total darkness, and in all
weather conditions, tunnel lighting should be such that the drivers
sense of safety and comfort is not diminished compared with the
experience on the open approach road.This means that drivers
should have adequate visual information concerning the behaviour of
other road users, the course of the road ahead and the presence of
any obstacles in the tunnel entrance, to be able to react in time with-
in a safe stopping distance (SSD). Guidelines for tunnel lighting
according to CIE 88 can be found in document CIE 88-1990 “Guide
for the lighting of road tunnels and underpasses”.
When to light by day
Being adapted to the relatively high luminance outside, drivers will
not be able to see details in a long tunnel, which appears on
approach as a ‘black hole’. For a short tunnel details may be visible in
negative contrast when the tunnel appears as a dark frame around a
bright background.
The decision whether a tunnel or underpass has to be lit during the
day depends on the length of the tunnel, the visibility of the exit, the
amount of natural light in the tunnel and the traffic density.
A guideline in this decision is offered by the CIE.
The access zone Interior zone
The access zone is not a part of the tunnel itself, but the approach In the interior zone, which is often the longest section of the tunnel, the
road immediately before the tunnel entrance, from where drivers need required lighting levels are related to traffic speed and traffic density as
to be able to see and stop in front of obstacles in the tunnel.The shown in Table 2.
length of the access zone is consequently equal to the safe stopping
distance (SSD). Exit zone
The maximum light adaptation condition of the drivers’ vision in this Visual adaptation from low to high level takes place instantaneously, but
zone, determines the luminance in the threshold zone at the beginning there are other reasons for installing an increased lighting level in the
of the tunnel. exit zone:
CIE defines the adaptation state as L20, the average luminance in a 1 to make small cars following behind large lorries visible when the
conical field of view of 2 x 10° centred in the tunnel opening at the daylight at the exit is glaringly bright,
safe stopping distance from the entrance. 2 to make following cars visible in the rear-view mirror of a car leaving
L20 measurements and recordings for the access zone over a long the tunnel and
period are the most solid basis for the entrance lighting design (Fig. 2). 3 to convert the exit into an entrance (at reduced speed) in case of an
emergency or for maintenance.
The threshold zone
Satisfying all the relevant IEC lamp standards, a broad selection of Emergency lighting
electromagnetic control gear is offered.This programme embraces, Emergency lighting is normally part of the night-time lighting, but is fed
among other things, ballasts for ignitor systems such as the semi-parallel from an uninterrupted power supply.
(impulser) and series (superimposed) versions. What is more,
high-quality HID-HighPower ballasts are available for wattage ratings
of 1000 W and above.

How to light by day Transition zone

Good tunnel lighting takes care of good visibility conditions for the
road users; this requires lighting levels that are matched with the
adaptation level of the users’ eyes.
As this adaptation level gradually changes while travelling through the
tunnel for lighting purposes the tunnel can be divided lengthwise into
five zones: the access, threshold, transition, interior and exit zone
(Fig. 1).
In the transition zone the lighting level is gradually reduced towards the
level as required in the interior zone (Fig. 3).The reduction speed is
related to the adaptation speed of the eyes and thus time dependent.
The reduction steps should not exceed a ratio of 3:1.
Save stopping
distance

Lsky

%L20
Ltrans = Lth (1.9 + t)-1.4
Lsurrounding

Linterior
Lroad

20°cone
threshold zone Transition zones Interior zone
Time
Table 1 Recommended threshold/access zone luminance ratios L 20 ≈ γ L sky + ρLroad+ εL surrounding (See CIE 88)
Stopping Symmetrical lighting Counter-beam lighting
Entrance Fig. 2 Sketch showing the 20° conical field of view referred to in the text. Fig. 3 Representation of lighting level in various zones.
distance system system
L20 Exit (m) Lth/L20 Lth/L20
Lth 60 0.05 0.04
Lexit 100 0. 0 6 0.05
160 0.10 0.07
Ltr Lint

Transition Exit Table 2 Recommended interior zone luminances (cd/m2)

Access zone zone zone
Stopping Traffic density
distance (m) <100 veh/h 100<veh/h<1000 >1000 veh/h
60 1 2 3
Treshold zone Interior zone 100 2 4 6
160 5 10 15
Fig. 1 The five tunnel zones defined for the purposes of lighting design.

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 Tunnel and underpass lighting

Tunnel and underpass lighting

Lighting system max. Preferred Efficiency

Typical light distribution of the luminaire sp/m.h. lamp cd/W
- Symmetrical lighting is used for the entrance and interior lighting. ratio type (q0=0.1)
spacing
- Asymmetrical lighting (counterbeam) is used for entrance lighting 1.5 TL-D/PL-L 2.0
when high contrast values are required or when the tunnel is not Symmetrical-
transversal 1.5 SOX-E 4.0
too short.
2.0 SON-T 2.8
Counterbeam lighting is adapted when high luminance levels are
required (high Lth/L20 or high stopping distance). spacing
3.5 SOX-E 4.5
Symmetrical-
axial 3.5 QL 2.4
Symmetrical-transversal lighting 4 SON-T 3.5 - 4
The light is mainly radiated at right angles to the axis of the tunnel.This
spacing
results in good visual guidance, minimum glare, and light between the Asymmetrical-
2-2.5 SON-T 4.5
cars. counterbeam

Symmetrical-axial lighting Fig. 4 Tunnel lighting systems.

The light is mainly radiated parallel to the tunnel axis, resulting in high
efficiency and allowing wide luminaire spacing. However, occasional
shadowing and uneven distance wall luminances can occur.

Asymmetrical-counterbeam lighting
The light is radiated parallel to the tunnel axis, mainly against the
direction of the traffic flow, resulting in high efficiency and improved
contrast, but with possible shadowing and uneven wall luminances.

Which lamp to use

The entrance of a tunnel needs high lighting levels of SON-T lamps.
For other areas needing lower light levels, such as the interior zone or
at night, compact fluorescent lamps can be used. Philips Lighting
recommends TL-D and PL-L for the symmetrical-transversal lighting
system and QL induction lamps for the symmetrical-axial lighting
system.These white light sources are preferred for their good colour
rendering over the more efficient SOX lamps.The light output of
(compact) fluorescent lamps however is temperature dependent. In
general, luminaire photometry is conducted at 25 °C, but the average
operating temperature in a tunnel can be much lower and therefore For detailed information and project support contact your local Philips Lighting
positively influence the efficacy. representative please.

Birth-Velbert tunnel, Germany.

1: threshold zone.
2 and 3: transition zones.

Mont Blanc tunnel, France-Italy

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 Tunnel and underpass lighting

Tunnel and underpass lighting

What is a ‘short tunnel’?

A short tunnel is a road or rail over bridge and underpass of more
than 25 m, for motorized traffic including entrances to multi-storey car
parks, for example.The height may vary between 2.5 and 6 m or more
and the width from 5 to 20 m. If the tunnel is shorter than 25 m no
additional tunnel lighting is required.

What is an underpass?
When the underpass is longer than 25 m a dark frame or a dark hole
may appear around the bright exit. Here an obstacle may completely
be invisible for an approaching driver at a distance equal to the Safe
Stopping Distance (SSD). Day time lighting.

When to light by day

This depends on a number of factors including the length of the tunnel,
visibility of the exit, penetration of daylight, brightness of the walls, and
traffic density. CIE recommends day-time light levels throughout the
tunnel of 0 %, 50 % and 100 % of the normal threshold zone lighting
levels for long tunnels. See table 3.

When to light by night

During the night, CIE recommends a minimum light level equal to the
light level of the approach roads.
Dusk/Dawn lighting.

Night time lighting.

Table 3 Recommended day time lighting levels (CIE 88-1990)

Tunnel Is exit fully Is daylight Is the wall Is traffic heavy or light % of normal
length (m) visible penetration reflectance (or including threshold zone
when seen good or poor? high bikes and lighting level
from SSD? (>0.4) or low (<0.2)? pedestrians)? required
<25 0
Light 0
Yes
Heavy 50
Light 0
25-75 High
No Good Heavy 50
Low 50
Poor 50
Light 50
Yes
Heavy 100
Light 50
75-125 High
Good Heavy 100
No
Low 100
Poor 100
>125 100
Remark:
BS 5489 and CEN/TC 169 N290 (11th draft) show 4 lighting classes for tunnels.
Class 1: No lighting.
Class 2: Limited day light lighting of 15 cd/m2 or 3 times the interior light level, as given in above table for long tunnels, whiche-
ver is the greater.To be operated when the ambient luminance has reduced to 10 % of the maximum L20.
Class 3: Constant lighting level over the tunnel length, like the threshold zone lighting level for long tunnels. Wallring tunnel, Hamburg, Germany.
Class 4: A class with complete lighting as for long tunnels. BS recommends a night-time lighting of 3 times and CEN of twice the
outside road light level.

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 Tunnel and underpass lighting

Tunnel and underpass lighting Tunnelite SGX320 Tunnelite SGX320

Tunnelite SGX320 Preferred selection

Tunnel luminaire SGX320 suitable for use with SON-T 150-400W
Product ID Weight (kg) Comm Code
high pressure sodium vapour lamps.

Main applications
SGX320 1xSON-T100W 220V A 12.20 910401962580
• Tunnels
SGX320 1xSON-T100W 220V S 12.20 910401962680
• Underpasses
SGX320 1xSON-T100W 220V TP 12.20 910401962480
• Basement parking areas
SGX320 1xSON-T150W 220V A 12.20 910401960880
SGX320 1xSON-T150W 220V S 12.20 910401961880
Features
SGX320 1xSON-T150W 220V TP 12.20 910401960580
• The housing consists of extruded aluminum body with die cast
SGX320 1xSON-T250W 220V A 13.20 910401960980
end plates
SGX320 1xSON-T250W 220V S 13.20 910401961980
• Reflector options:T-pot, asymmetric or symmetric
SGX320 1xSON-T250W 220V TP 13.20 910401960680
• Detachable gear tray for easy repair and maintenance
SGX320 1xSON-T400W 220V A 15.50 910401961080
• Tool-free lamp replacement
SGX320 1xSON-T400W 220V S 15.50 910401962080
• 3 types of installation options
SGX320 1xSON-T400W 220V TP 15.50 910401960780
SGX320 1xSON-T400W 230V S 15.50 911400332080
Materials and finish SGX320 2xSON-T400W 230V TP 26.00 911400331780
• Shock resistant tempered glass cover SGX320 1xSON-T250W 240V A 13.20 911400431980
• One continuous aluminum hinge with a full length closing device
A = Asymmetric
• EPDM gasket
S = Symmetric
• E40 ceramic lamp holder
TP = T-pot
SGX320
Installation
• Luminaire can be installed on ceiling or wall. Luminaire brackets to
be ordered separately. Cable gland PG13.5.

Classifications
• IP 65
• Class I
• Complies with IEC 598

IP 65

SGX320 SGX320

Dimensions in mm

34

708 194

Nanjing Xuanwuhu Tunnel, China

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 Tunnel and underpass lighting

Tunnel and underpass lighting Tunnelite SGX220 Tunnelite SGX220

Tunnelite SGX220 Preferred selection

Tunnel luminaire S/TGX220 suitable for use with SON-T 70-150W
Product ID Weight (kg) Comm Code
high pressure sodium vapour lamps, or 36-58W TLD lamps.

Main applications
SGX220 1xSON-T70W 220V A 11.50 910401963480
• Tunnels
SGX220 1xSON-T100W 220V A 11.50 910401963380
• Underpasses
SGX220 1xTL-D36W IC 220V S 12.00 910401963680
• Basement parking areas
SGX220 1xTL-D58W IC 220V S 15.00 910401963880
SGX220 1xTL-D58W HFE 220V S 15.00 910401963580
Features
SGX220 2xTL-D36W IC 220V S 14.00 910401963280
• The housing consists of extruded aluminum body with die cast
SGX220 2xTL-D58W IC 220V S 15.00 910401963980
end plates, painted in black
A = Asymmetric
• Asymmetric (A) reflector for SON-T lamp versions and
S = Symmetric
symmetric (S) reflector for TL-D lamp versions
• Detachable gear tray for easy repair and maintenance
• Tool-free lamp replacement
• 3 types of installation options

Materials and finish

• Shock resistant tempered glass cover
• Aluminum hinge with a closing device
• EPDM gasket
SGX220 • E40 ceramic lamp holder

Installation
• Luminaire can be installed on ceiling or wall. Luminaire brackets to
be ordered separately. Cable gland PG13.5.

Classifications
• IP 65
• Class I
• Complies with IEC 598

IP 65

Dimensions in mm
665 123

272

SGX 220/70 or SGX 220/150

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