Why are leds emerging in tunnel lighting applications? These advantages are "indispensable"
Abstract：In the vast majority of outdoor lighting applications, leds prove their advantages. For tunneling applications, point sources integrated in solid-state lighting devices are particularly well-suited. In this article, DALE KANE, Global Marketing and Business Development Manager at Lumileds, talks about the specific challenges posed by tunnels and how the combination of leds and lenses solves demanding lighting requirements.
In the vast majority of outdoor lighting applications, leds prove their advantages. For tunneling applications, point sources integrated in solid-state lighting devices are particularly well-suited. In this article, DALE KANE, Global Marketing and Business Development Manager at Lumileds, talks about the specific challenges posed by tunnels and how the combination of leds and lenses solves demanding lighting requirements.
The words "dark" and "gray" aptly describe the illumination of many of the world's road tunnels. So when you see a bright tunnel with no shadows or dark spots, you might wonder why all tunnels don't have such good lighting conditions. In fact, new tunnels in many parts of the world have shown that well-designed LED tunnel lighting can help drivers adjust vision easily and quickly, reduce maintenance to a low level, and save energy while improving light quality.
We will discuss some projects that demonstrate the value of LED-based tunnel solid State lighting (SSL). Whether tunnel lighting should be upgraded with LED, there are two main considerations. Municipalities are often concerned with life cycle costs as well as the quality of light.
The total cost of ownership of public lighting depends on several factors such as illumination, power consumption, equipment cost, installation cost, maintenance cost, luminaire shape size, and the expected service life of the luminaire. Although other quantifiable factors can be considered, they are mainly the decisions of the competent authorities.
Solid state lighting provides high quality lighting
With the maturity of solid-state lighting technology, the quality of this lighting is very good for use in tunnels. Compared with commonly used outdoor lighting products, LED lighting has excellent color rendering.
Light quality is highly valued by road users and pedestrians. Some cities and public utilities have chosen LED lighting to improve commercial areas, making them more attractive and increasing the sense of security and comfort.
In tunnel lighting, it can be said that the total cost of ownership and visual perception are both factors. However, given the state of public funding, it is essential to achieve a lower total life-cycle cost. Fortunately, the development of LED technology has reduced the procurement and power costs of LED tunnel lighting systems, which significantly reduce life cycle costs compared to traditional high-pressure gas discharge light sources (HID), while also having other advantages of solid-state lighting systems.
Comparison of LED and traditional lighting
At present, traditional high-pressure gas discharge sources (HID), such as high-pressure sodium lamps (HPS) and metal halide lamps (MH), are still the main force of tunnel lighting. Tunnel lighting solutions require high and low illuminance to provide a safe environment for users. The luminaire must be able to provide a high level of light over a considerable distance from the plane. The typical installation height of a road tunnel is 5-7 meters, providing clearance for high-sided vehicles.
High-pressure sodium lamps and metal halide lamps are attractive to tunnel lighting scheme designers, offering both a low unit cost and high illumination. Arrays of high-pressure sodium lamps and metal halide lamps, usually with a power of up to 400W per lamp to meet illumination requirements.
However, the disadvantages of high-pressure sodium lamps (HPS) (Figure 1) and metal halide lamps (MH) are obvious. Both of these lamps consume a lot of energy, are often of low light quality, cannot provide uniform illumination in the tunnel, and require expensive maintenance programs to remedy if they fail. Now, with advances in LED technology, tunnel operators have a new option that is increasingly attractive from a public and operational perspective.
The words "dark" and "gray" aptly describe the illumination of many of the world's road tunnels. So when you see a bright tunnel with no shadows or dark spots, you might wonder why all tunnels don't have such good lighting conditions. In fact, new tunnels in many parts of the world have shown that well-designed LED tunnel lighting can help drivers adjust vision easily and quickly, reduce maintenance to a low level, and save energy while improving light quality.
We will discuss some projects that demonstrate the value of LED-based tunnel solid State lighting (SSL). Whether tunnel lighting should be upgraded with LED, there are two main considerations. Municipalities are often concerned with life cycle costs as well as the quality of light.
The total cost of ownership of public lighting depends on several factors such as illumination, power consumption, equipment cost, installation cost, maintenance cost, luminaire shape size, and the expected service life of the luminaire. Although other quantifiable factors can be considered, they are mainly the decisions of the competent authorities.
Solid state lighting provides high quality lighting
With the maturity of solid-state lighting technology, the quality of this lighting is very good for use in tunnels. Compared with commonly used outdoor lighting products, LED lighting has excellent color rendering.
Light quality is highly valued by road users and pedestrians. Some cities and public utilities have chosen LED lighting to improve commercial areas, making them more attractive and increasing the sense of security and comfort.
In tunnel lighting, it can be said that the total cost of ownership and visual perception are both factors. However, given the state of public funding, it is essential to achieve a lower total life-cycle cost. Fortunately, the development of LED technology has reduced the procurement and power costs of LED tunnel lighting systems, which significantly reduce life cycle costs compared to traditional high-pressure gas discharge light sources (HID), while also having other advantages of solid-state lighting systems.
Comparison of LED and traditional lighting
At present, traditional high-pressure gas discharge sources (HID), such as high-pressure sodium lamps (HPS) and metal halide lamps (MH), are still the main force of tunnel lighting. Tunnel lighting solutions require high and low illuminance to provide a safe environment for users. The luminaire must be able to provide a high level of light over a considerable distance from the plane. The typical installation height of a road tunnel is 5-7 meters, providing clearance for high-sided vehicles.
High-pressure sodium lamps and metal halide lamps are attractive to tunnel lighting scheme designers, offering both a low unit cost and high illumination. Arrays of high-pressure sodium lamps and metal halide lamps, usually with a power of up to 400W per lamp to meet illumination requirements.
However, the disadvantages of high-pressure sodium lamps (HPS) (Figure 1) and metal halide lamps (MH) are obvious. Both of these lamps consume a lot of energy, are often of low light quality, cannot provide uniform illumination in the tunnel, and require expensive maintenance programs to remedy if they fail. Now, with advances in LED technology, tunnel operators have a new option that is increasingly attractive from a public and operational perspective.
