The influence of dimming-induced luminance change on driving safety in tunnels
Chi Zhang,
Cheng Kang,
Lei Ye,
Jiajun Weng,
Zhiyi Huang,
Ke Wu
Affiliations
Chi Zhang
Key Laboratory of Offshore Geotechnics and Material of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Rd, Hangzhou 310058, China; Center of Balance Architecture, Zhejiang University, 148 Tianmushan Rd, Hangzhou 310007, China
Cheng Kang
Key Laboratory of Offshore Geotechnics and Material of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Rd, Hangzhou 310058, China; Center of Balance Architecture, Zhejiang University, 148 Tianmushan Rd, Hangzhou 310007, China
Lei Ye
The Department of Construction Management, Zhejiang Provincial Department of Transport, Meihuabei No.4, Hangzhou 310009, China
Jiajun Weng
Key Laboratory of Offshore Geotechnics and Material of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Rd, Hangzhou 310058, China; Center of Balance Architecture, Zhejiang University, 148 Tianmushan Rd, Hangzhou 310007, China
Zhiyi Huang
Key Laboratory of Offshore Geotechnics and Material of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Rd, Hangzhou 310058, China; Center of Balance Architecture, Zhejiang University, 148 Tianmushan Rd, Hangzhou 310007, China; The Engineering Research Center of Oceanic Sensing Technology and Equipment, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Rd, Hangzhou 310058, China
Ke Wu
Key Laboratory of Offshore Geotechnics and Material of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Rd, Hangzhou 310058, China; Center of Balance Architecture, Zhejiang University, 148 Tianmushan Rd, Hangzhou 310007, China; The Engineering Research Center of Oceanic Sensing Technology and Equipment, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Rd, Hangzhou 310058, China; Corresponding author. Key Laboratory of Offshore Geotechnics and Material of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Rd, Hangzhou 310058, China.
Although dimming the light in tunnels brings salient benefits to energy saving, the effects of dimming-induced luminance changes on driving safety have been rarely explored. Adopting the visual performance experiment, the present study investigated the impacts of the dimming-induced luminance change rate (V) on the safety of driver’s perception, judgment, and operation in the threshold zone of the tunnel under different seasons and weather conditions. The results show that the reaction times (RTs), pupil area change rate (vp), and blink frequency (fb), increased with the increase of V. When the luminance before the beginning of dimming (L) was higher, drivers reacted faster and stood a lower level of the mental load and fatigue. Compared with decreasing the luminance through dimming, when increasing the luminance through dimming, the present study found that each of the visual performance indices was about 10% lower, and the changes with V became smaller. Based on the safety thresholds of RT, vp, and fb, the present study obtained the thresholds of V which can meet the safety requirements of driver’s perception, judgment, and operation. Finally, a theoretical model between the thresholds of V and L was developed, and this model will shed light on the control of V in the threshold zone of the tunnel under different seasons and weather conditions.
