Low-energy Visual Guidance Technology and Its Empirical Study in Low- grade Highway Tunnels: A Case Study of the Xiyi Tunnel

To address the conflict between insufficient lighting and high operational energy consumption in low-grade highway tunnels, a comprehensive low-energy visual guidance technology scheme centered on visual guidance was proposed and implemented, taking the Xiyi Tunnel as an engineering case. This scheme optimized the tunnel's luminous environment through the combined installation of facilities such as retro-reflective rings, retro-reflective strips, emergency induction lights, and continuous raised pavement markers. Field vehicle tests were conducted, and data on drivers' eye-movement characteristics and vehicle speeds were collected and analyzed. The results indicate that the scheme effectively improved the continuity of the visual environment inside the tunnel, leading to a smoother transition in the drivers' effective gaze area. Meanwhile, vehicle speeds within the tunnel were better controlled, speeding incidents were significantly reduced, and speed differences among different vehicle types decreased noticeably. This research verifies the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed low-energy visual guidance technology in achieving low-consumption visual guidance and ensuring driving safety.