Highways for Italy (ASPI) announced an investment plan for tunnel safety with the adoption of smart led lights. More than 32,000 lighting devices will be installed, capable of adjusting the light intensity according to the external conditions of the tunnels, thus improving visual comfort and driver safety. This is where the new lights will embrace by 2026.

AUTOSTRADE IMPROVES DRIVING SAFETY IN TUNNELS

The innovations announced by the ASPI are part of the “Energy efficiency plan for back-up lighting circuits” in which it is interested 450 network galleries. The company, which has changed hands since 2021, says this solution will help save about 10 GWh/year and will increase driving comfort for the 4.5 million passengers who cover the 3,000 km of the network every day. Thanks to an investment of more than 20 million euros. According to estimates, CO2 emissions would decrease by 2,600 tonnes per year, or the equivalent of the average annual consumption of a municipality of more than 10,000 inhabitants.

SMART LED LIGHTS IN HIGHWAY TUNNELS

THE smart led lights they already equip the “Santa Lucia” tunnels, the longest 3-lane tunnel ever built in Europe and one of the 5 largest in the world in terms of overall size. There are 39 tunnels already included in the plan and are located, respectively, at:

• the offices of the Genoa section (19);
• Firenze (6);
• Casino (12);
• Pescara (2).

HOW SMART LED LIGHTS WORK IN HIGHWAY TUNNELS

The new energy efficiency plan is part of the Mercure program to improve and secure existing infrastructure. It provides for an evolution in the regulation of the luminous flux emitted by the single luminaire. Some sensors they measure the brightness level of the sun outside the tunnel in real time and interact with the lighting circuit control panel, helping to improve passenger visual comfort. ASPI states that, thanks to this technology, the light intensity of the luminaires installed at the entrance to the gallery is modulated according to the actual atmospheric conditions, by varying the flux in relation to the level of brightness of the sunlight. This system reduces visual stress for drivers when the eye has to get used to instantly changing light conditions. By avoiding these “blind driving” moments, the company says overall infrastructure security also improves.