Relationship between Adaptation Luminance and Threshold Zone Luminance for Vehicular Traffic Tunnels

PURPOSES : This study has been performed with the objective to determine threshold zone luminance of adaptation luminance by target safety level in a vehicular traffic tunnel with design speed set at 100km/h. METHODS : The study made a miniature capable of portraying changes in luminance distribution within $2{\times}10^{\circ}$ conical field of view of the driver approaching to the tunnel for the test. Test conditions were set based on justifications for CIE 88-1990's threshold zone luminance used as a reference by domestic tunnel light standards (KS C 3703 : 2010). Luminance contrast of object background and object is 23%, object presentation duration is 0.5 seconds, and size of the object background is $7.3{\times}11.5m^2$ RESULTS : Threshold zone luminance was set within adaptation luminance of $100{\sim}3,000cd/m^2$. Adaptation luminance and threshold zone luminance based on 50%, 75% and 90% target safety level all showed a relatively high linear relationship. According to findings in the study, it is not appropriate to specify the relationship between adaptation luminance and threshold zone luminance as luminance ratio. Rather, direct utilization of the linear relationship gained from the study findings appears to be the better solution. CONCLUSIONS : Findings of this study may be used to determine operation of threshold zone luminance based on target safety level. However, a proper verification and validity of test results are required. Furthermore, a study to determine proper threshold zone luminance level considering target safety level reviewed in this study and various decision-making factors such as economic conditions in Korea and energy-related policies should be carried out in addition. Additional tests on adaptation luminance greater than $3,000cd/m^2$ will be performed, through which application scope of the test findings will be broadened.