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Cover of LED Lighting in Existing Road Tunnels: Best Practice Approaches
LED Lighting in Existing Road Tunnels: Best Practice Approaches
  • Publication no: AP-T380-25
  • ISBN: 978-1-922994-68-4
  • Published: 16 June 2025

This report summarises the process undertaken to explore tunnel lighting upgrades and provides best practice guidance for tunnel owners and operators considering the transition to more efficient lighting systems.

Many existing tunnels currently use fluorescent or High Pressure Sodium (HPS) lighting, and there is a growing opportunity to replace or retrofit these with more efficient light emitting diode (LED) equivalents. While LED luminaires generally boasts higher efficacy than fluorescent and HPS equivalents, lighting upgrade projects can present major technical and cost challenges.

Drawing on stakeholder consultations and a literature review, the report explores current practices, common challenges, and practical considerations for planning and delivering lighting upgrades. It offers high-level guidance on topics such as system assessment, installation methodologies, equipment specification, and maintenance planning. The report also includes case studies and recommendations to support informed decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.

Watch a recording of the webinar to learn more.

  • Summary
  • 1. Introduction
    • 1.1 Purpose
    • 1.2 Scope
    • 1.3 Methodology
    • 1.4 Definitions
  • 2. Stakeholder Engagement
    • 2.1 Stakeholders
    • 2.2 Discussion points
  • 3. Literature Review
    • 3.1 Summary
    • 3.2 History of road tunnel lighting in Australia and New Zealand
    • 3.3 Optimal Colour Temperature for Road Tunnel LED Lighting
    • 3.4 Installation methodologies and impact on tunnel availability
    • 3.5 Luminaire retrofit strategies
      • 3.5.1 Australian/New Zealand examples
      • 3.5.2 International examples
      • 3.5.3 General considerations
    • 3.6 Interchangeability of controllers and lamps from different manufacturers
    • 3.7 Infrastructure impact and modifications for lighting upgrade
    • 3.8 Control protocols for lighting control
    • 3.9 Technical specifications
    • 3.10 Key outcomes
    • 3.11 Strengths
    • 3.12 Weaknesses
  • 4. Best Practice Approaches
    • 4.1 Project initiation
      • 4.1.1 Project drivers
      • 4.1.2 Project objectives
      • 4.1.3 Site investigation
      • 4.1.4 Establish project scope/specification
      • 4.1.5 Engage industry partners
    • 4.2 Design
      • 4.2.1 Concept of operations
      • 4.2.2 Typical methodology
      • 4.2.3 Best practice approaches – key findings
    • 4.3 Construction planning
      • 4.3.1 Partial tunnel closures
      • 4.3.2 Scheduling
      • 4.3.3 Off-site work/pre-fabrication
      • 4.3.4 Systems integration and testing
      • 4.3.5 Transfer of project knowledge
    • 4.4 Example project profile – Burnley Tunnel enhancement project
      • 4.4.1 Scope of works
      • 4.4.2 Background research
      • 4.4.3 Design
      • 4.4.4 Challenges and key learnings
      • 4.4.5 Outcomes
    • 4.5 Example project profile – Heysen Tunnels
      • 4.5.1 Scope of works
      • 4.5.2 Background research
      • 4.5.3 Design
      • 4.5.4 challenges/key learnings
    • 4.6 Example project profile – Terrace Tunnel
      • 4.6.1 Existing attributes
      • 4.6.2 Background research
      • 4.6.3 Design
      • 4.6.4 Challenges/key learnings
      • 4.6.5 Outcomes
    • 4.7 Example project profile – EastLink Tunnel
      • 4.7.1 Existing attributes
      • 4.7.2 Background research
      • 4.7.3 Design
      • 4.7.4 Installation
      • 4.7.5 Challenges/key learnings
      • 4.7.6 Outcomes
  • 5. Alignment to Austroads Publications
  • 6. Conclusions and Recommendations
  • 7. References
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