Safer tunnel traffic

in Meir Tunnel, UK

Measuring 248 meters, the Meir tunnel required reliable lighting in order to guarantee driver safety. The previous lighting system had been installed to comply with an old regulation standard, but the luminaires were underperforming, causing regular disruptions.

Philips T-line LED luminaires were the light at the end of the tunnel. They were chosen by the highway contractor due to their excellent environmental performance, quality of light, and long life cycle. The decision was made to strip out the old system and install 600 T-line fixtures. The new system would use two versions of the luminaire to provide a linear lighting scheme. This would mean that if one were ever to fail, it would have little impact on the overall lighting.

The LED technology now provides numerous benefits. LED lighting delivers instant start-up following a power failure, eliminating the potentially dangerous cool-down period required for high pressure sodium lamps. Furthermore, the LED light sources are less susceptible to low ambient temperatures, which can significantly reduce the lumen output of fluorescent lamps.

The lights in the tunnel dim and brighten automatically to match the light outside, so a driver’s eyes do not have to adjust as they enter or exit the tunnel. Because drivers don’t have to slow down, traffic keeps moving and safety is increased.