Recently, the comprehensive revitalization project for the lighting systems within the main tunnels of Ouhai Avenue in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, was successfully completed. As a major transportation artery connecting the eastern and western sectors of the city, the lighting infrastructure within the Ouhai Avenue main tunnels-originally refurbished and commissioned in 2016-had gradually begun to suffer from issues such as aging components, light decay, and uneven illumination. These deficiencies not only diminished visual comfort for drivers but also posed adverse risks to traffic safety.
To minimize the impact of this revitalization project on main-road traffic, the municipal streetlamp maintenance team in Wenzhou adopted a “short-duration, streamlined, and rapid” night-time construction model starting April 23. Working in close coordination with traffic management and expressway maintenance departments, the team flexibly scheduled lane closures to facilitate construction. Following 10 nights of intensive work-involving a total deployment of 190 personnel-the team efficiently completed the full replacement of over 2,000 light fixtures.
This lighting revitalization project represents several significant breakthroughs in terms of both technical innovation and operational detail compared to previous efforts. Regarding construction methodology, scissor lifts were introduced for the first time; their enhanced maneuverability significantly boosted operational efficiency within the tunnels confined and elongated spaces. In terms of lighting quality, the newly installed fixtures feature a standardized color temperature of 4000K, producing a more neutral and softer light that effectively mitigates visual disparities experienced when transitioning between the bright outdoor environment and the tunnel interior. From a technical infrastructure standpoint, the project involved replacing older-generation LED streetlamps (rated at 120 lm/W) with high-efficiency LED models (rated at 160 lm/W). This upgrade not only ensured a 25% increase in illumination levels but also achieved a 21.5% reduction in energy consumption. Furthermore, the configuration of both “enhanced lighting” and “basic lighting” systems was optimized and tailored to the specific functional requirements of different tunnel sections. This strategic adjustment effectively alleviates the “black hole effect”-the sudden sensation of darkness experienced by vehicles entering a tunnel-thereby ensuring a smoother and safer transition for passing traffic.