Artificial lighting systems and the perception of safety in underpass tunnels

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the artificial lighting systems and perceived safety of underpass vacuum borders in light of gender equality. Although lighting underpasses pedestrian corridors is a critical environmental feature that affects safety perception, there is still a gap in the literature regarding the needed quality of light required for this purpose and how it may affect perceiving safety. The study employed a mixed-methods approach that included a quantitative survey, DIALux lighting software, and field measurements. The survey was distributed to 94 randomly selected pedestrians who were roaming the corridors of Al-Qasba. Three parameters: illuminance level (Lux), Uniformity ratio (U0), and Unified Glare Rating (UGR), were considered in simulation using DIALux software in order to improve the visibility in the site. Several simulation scenarios of the existing underpasses corridors were proposed and analyzed. Six simulation cases were conducted and compared among each other and the base case to identify the best-simulated case. Accordingly, two cases among all the cases had a significant impact on visibility which improved safety perception.