Abstract: With the increasing number and types of extra-long highway tunnels in China, issues regarding the safe? ty, energy-saving, and comfort related to operational ventilation and lighting have gradually become prominent. To address the problems in the theory and technology of ventilation and lighting in extra-long highway tunnels, this paper first systematically reviews relevant literatures from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Web of Science (SCI) databases over the past 20 years, analyzing the number of publications, research trends, and hotspots. Then, the paper elaborates on the problems in the linkage theory and technology of ventilation and lighting in extra-long highway tunnels, focusing on research hotspots. Finally, it summarizes and reviews the research status in terms of three aspects: the accurate prediction of the impact of natural wind and natural light in the tunnel site area on ventilation and lighting, the impact of dynamic changes in traffic flow on driving safety, and the construction of a smart ventilation and lighting linkage digital twin model considering tunnel operation characteristics. The aim is to provide ideas for the safe, comfortable, and energy-saving operation of extra-long highway tunnels.