The consortium Spie Sud Est/Yvroud Europeenne des Fluides, Feyzin secured the EUR7.6 million contract for equipment maintenance in the Grand Lyon tunnels, the most important of which are Fourviere (1,850 m), Croix-Rousse (1,750 m), Brotteaux-Servient and Vivier-Merle (336 m). For more, contact Communaute Urbaine de Lyon, fax +33 478 957097, or visit http://marches.grandlyon.com. Visit http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=058386-2010. 11/10...

Gähler und Partner AG of Ennetbaden have secured the EUR2.28 million contract for PM designer for safety refurbishment in 1.14 km-long Mosi tunnel on A4, near Brunnen. Contact OFROU, Zofingen, tel +41 6274575-11, fax -90, e-mail beschaffung.zofingen@astra.admin.ch. Visit http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=062920-2010. 11/10...

IG BP2, c/o Bänziger Partner AG of Zurich, secured the EUR2.63 million contract from BAMO for 5.7 km-long N3 Kerenzer tunnel. Contact OFROU, Winterthour, tel +41 522344-711, fax -790, e-mail winterthur@astra.admin.ch. Visit http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=062921-2010. 11/10..

Construction contract for Kuechelberg tunnel awarded to PAC SpA consortium, value EUR34,695,272 excluding VAT. More from PAC in Capo di Ponte, tel +39 0364331037, fax +39 036442303, e-mail info@pacspa.it and client APB in Bozen, tel +39 04714125-14, fax –39, e-mail gare-11.5@provincia.bz.it Visit http://ted.europa.eu/udl?request=Seek-Deliver&language=en&docid=071475-2010. 11/10...

Rete Ferroviaria Italiana SpA is inviting companies to prequalify for civil engineering work on railway tunnels in Italy. Further information and documents from Iacomino Raffaele at Gruppo Ferrovie dello Stato in Milan, tel +39 02637 148-19, fax –20, e-mail dns-qs@rfi.it to whom requests to participate should be sent. Visit

Pre-feasibility study being undertaken by ILF Consulting Engineers for construction of single track railway line along the Karakorum highway between the end of the existing railway network in the south at Havelian and the border between Pakistan and China near the famous Khunjrab Pass in the north.

Prequalification underway by MTR for tender reference no 703 for West Island Line SHW to SYP tunnels value EUR30 million with a view to selective invitations to tender being issued in 4Q/2008 for contract award in 3Q/2009. Expressions of interest to Malcolm O’Neill, tel 3921 3383, e-mail moneill@mtr.com.hk Visit www.mtr.com.hk/eng/tenders/new_projects.html 45/08.

Within the scope of a study carried out by the Austrian Board of Trustees for Road Safety (Kuratorium für Verkehrssicherheit KfV) on the comparison of safety in Austrian tunnels, the cause of accidents between 1999 and 2003 came under scrutiny. As a result it was determined that the cause of six out of ten accidents in the transit domain of tunnels was due to a lack of vigilance from motorists (inattentiveness and distraction), human error (especially due to a lack of safe distance from the vehicle ahead) and misjudgment (in regard to vehicles driving ahead or stationary vehicles). Interestingly, the cause of these accidents was marginally connected with inadequate tunnel lighting which substantially reduces motorist’s visual perception and concentration.

The lightest areas of a tunnel (ceiling lights, the illuminated boundary, the luminous information and traffic signs, head lights, tail lights) all direct the eye and attention, which distracts the motorists from what should be the centre of attention, namely the flow of traffic.

The brightly illuminated areas of the tunnel are embedded in a relatively dark environment which cultivates physiological and psychological glare phenomenon and due to the high contrast, light areas seem lighter and dark areas seem darker. This rouses the desire for visual orientation among drivers through a tunnel and diverts attention again to the lightest area. A vicious circle is established.

As a result of this study, it was also ascertained that within 51 to 250 metres in the tunnel entrances, 76% of all accidents occurred due to rear-end collisions. This also accounts for more than half (55%) of accidents which occurred in the rest of the transit domain. The main reason for these accidents is a insufficient distance kept from the vehicle ahead. Tunnel lighting which would generate an even vertical light could, in this case, also make a decisive contribution in reducing the number of accidents. However, only horizontal parameters are to be found in tunnel lighting standards.

Social demographic population growth is a deciding factor for improving tunnel lighting. Forecasts for the European Union predict that in about 40 years one third of the population will be over 65 years old. Although older motorists only drive about 40% of the distance of working motorists [5], many do possess a driver’s license. In 2003 for example, 85.7% of men and 47.7% of women in Germany over 65 years old possessed a driver’s license with the potential possibility of driving a motor vehicle [Fig.1]. Together with increasing age, there is also an increase in the danger of human error from motorists due to a deficiency in perception (e.g. degeneration of eyesight, increased dazzle or a reduction in colour perception). Current studies [4] suggest the double risk factor by older motorists [Fig.2].

Old people basically feel more anxious and very incomfortable to go through tunnels. Because of deficient vision with age, they feel more easily dazzled and cannot recognize things as easily and react more slowly. This is why they can adopt more easily irrational behaviour in tunnels.

Fig. 1: Age-related license availability - German Motorists

Fig. 2: Age-related misconduct in road traffic

A laboratory study, carried out in the Competence centre for light (Kompetenzzentrum Licht) based in Aldrans near Innsbruck, indicated distinctly that a deficit in the perception of detail among older people could be partially reduced by means of higher roadway luminance.

Laboratory study on tunnel lighting

During a four-year laboratory study carried out in the Kompetenzzentrum Licht, 204 people were tested (31 of which were over 50 years of age) on the influence of different light environments in tunnels on the perception of detail, motion and space. It is precisely the changes in these perception parameters which should provide information as to which light intensity (road surface luminance of between 2 and 28 cd/sq m was investigated) and light distribution (both continuous and punctuated ceiling lighting systems were investigated) provided the utmost attentiveness and the best speed variation assessment of the vehicle ahead. The laboratory set-up ensured that each person was tested under equally good research conditions. The research was carried out using a projector [Fig.3] to simulate a tunnel with glare-free ceiling lighting (the maximum luminance of the projection amounted to 130 cd/sq m) allowing for colours to be well identified and for a balanced distribution of light between the road surface and tunnel walls (it was about twice as bright in the central visual field as in the peripheral area) [Fig.4]. Such a research set-up makes it possible to exclusively record the influence of different light environments, characterized by light intensity and light distribution.

fig3 - research set up

Fig 4 - Balanced light distribution

Subject to the assigned visual task during the laboratory study, the following conclusions were reached: for a significantly improved perception of detail for younger motorists, a road surface luminance of 7-8 cd/sq m is necessary. For motorists over 50 years of age, twice as much is necessary for a good perception of detail (approx.15 cd/sq m). Furthermore, brighter conditions amplify the field of vision and the area of higher attentiveness.

Light distribution plays an extraordinary role in optimizing perception of motion and space. A continuous ceiling lighting system (with a luminance of 7 cd/sq m) enables a significant improvement in space and motion perception performance.

Above all, the study found out that demands should be made for road surface brightness to be increased to at least 7 cd/sq m, together with installation of linear lighting systems in order to achieve a higher longitudinal evenness in horizontal and vertical directions.

Visions for tunnel lighting

Last year, the Austrian road administration ASFINAG commissioned Bartenbach to carry out a concept study, the objective being the installation of innovative lighting concepts in tunnels. During the course of this study a conventional tunnel lighting system [Fig.5, Fig.7] was compared to various other lighting systems [Fig.6, Fig.8]. Visit www.bartenbach.com and www.k-licht.at

Fig 5 - Conventional Lighting

Fig 6 - Lighting Vision

 

Fig 7 - Conventional radiation principle

Fig 8 - Radiation principle vision

This new concept was based on findings of the Kompetenzzentrum Licht’s laboratory study, together with a compilation of theoretical foundations and basic principles of visual perception by drivers when travelling through a tunnel (e.g. recognition of contrasts, depth of accommodation and constancy of adaptation), and results in a high, even vertical lightness in the tunnel. 

Apart from an innovative light distribution, this concept study implemented the application of LEDs for a tunnel lighting system [Fig.9].

Fig. 9: Sketch of a modular LED lighting system

With the application of LEDs, colour perception by drivers through a tunnel will be optimally assisted. In addition, the small size of the lamps together with a special asymmetrical distribution of light (achieved through a lens system) makes it possible for directing light to be achieved by the luminance distribution, and not through the lights or road markings.

A subsequent result of this concept was the development of a prototype for LED tunnel lighting. The prototype fulfills all demands of the Austrian tunnel lighting standards.

 

Tunnelintelligence thanks Markus Canazei of Bartenbach for allowing to use his paper presented at the 4th International Conference on Tunnel Safety and Ventilation held in Graz, Austria in April 2008.

Literature

1.     Robatsch, K. et al (2005): Sicherheitsvergleich von Tunnels. Kuratorium für Verkehrssicherheit. BMVIT

2.     Nussbaumer, C. (2006): Wie sicher sind Strassentunnels in Österreich? Zeitschrift für Verkehrsrecht, 2. February, 2006

3.     Nussbaumer, C. (2007): Comparative analysis of safety in tunnels. Young Researchers Seminar, Brno.

4.     Zauner, P. (2007): Der Autofahrer der Generation Plus. München

5.     Zauner, P. et al. (2008): Nichtinvasive Sensorik für die Beanspruchungsanalyse zur        Mobilitätserhaltung der Generation Plus. Tagungsbeitrag zum Kongress “Ambient Assisted Living“, Berlin.