Safer with 3i Innovation’s lighting for Mount Victoria Tunnel

In New Zealand, 3i Innovation's on-road markers and Tunnel Guidance markers are providing emergency evacuation lighting for the refurbished iconic Mount Victoria tunnel in the capital city Wellington.
January 6, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
3i in Wellington’s Victoria Tunnel

In New Zealand, 151 3i Innovation's on-road markers and Tunnel Guidance markers are providing emergency evacuation lighting for the refurbished iconic Mount Victoria tunnel in the capital city Wellington.

The 85-year-old State Highway 1 tunnel is a part of the route from Wellington Airport to the rest of the country’s North Island. It also connects the eastern suburbs to the central city and beyond. The extensive upgrade started in April 2015 and was completed in June.

Upgrade includes energy efficient LED 'intelligent' systems. Lights dim and brighten at the portals in response to outdoor light.

Conditions for driving through the tunnel have been improved with 1,000 light-reflecting white panels beside the carriageway, a new paint palette and inductively powered LED road markers along the sides and centreline. The panels are fire-resistant, adding to the tunnel’s safety profile.

The LED road delineators - are electronically programmed to pulse and strobe in sequence toward the exits in an emergency, guiding people safely out. The system is a world-first use of delineators to this extent, according to the agency.

3i’s work on the project included the supply and commissioning of 124 Tunnel Guidance Markers, 64 Tunnel Lane Markers and associated power supplies - 2x IPL1200i and 1x IPH2000i – along with customised firmware for the emergency modes.

The Tunnel Lane Markers in the centre line provide greater safety through stronger delineation and alignment - critical for the management of bi-directional tunnels, says 3i.

During normal conditions the markers are on standby at a dimmed light output. In the event of an emergency the markers will turn on and cascade towards the safest exit to guide pedestrians out of the tunnel.

Emergency mode activation causes the LED road and edge markers to cascade towards the nearest safe exit.

The tunnel has also been repainted inside and out with a colour scheme that features light blue inside the portals and along the walkway, soft white on the lower walls and new carriageway wall panels, as well as black on the ceiling.

Highway & Network Management

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • India pushing ahead with infrastructure projects
    July 4, 2012
    Despite the economic downturn, India looks to be pressing ahead with its major infrastructure projects to further boost its incredible growth. Patrick Smith reports India, which like most countries has been affected by the current economic climate, although not to the same extent, is pressing ahead with its ambitious highway construction plans. Each week new projects are completed, started or awarded as the nation seeks to improve its transportation requirements. These are needed to meet the aspirations of
    Read More
  • High quality, low maintenance lighting
    February 15, 2012
    Philips has partnered with Northumberland County Council in the UK to provide a low maintenance lighting solution that produces high quality white light. Northumberland County Council required a low maintenance solution that was environmentally friendly and could serve a diverse environment. Philips was able to provide an LED solution that improved light quality at night, whilst also reducing maintenance costs and time. Philips’ SpeedStar luminaire, incorporating LEDGINE Greenline, was used for this pro
    Read More
  • JCB launches 8.5 tonne 86C-1 and 85Z-1 compact midi excavators
    November 7, 2014
    JCB has launched a range of midi excavators just as the market for such compact equipment looks set to grow 16% within four years. The first excavators available in the new line-up are the 8.5 tonne 86C-1 conventional tail-swing and the 85Z-1 zero-tail-swing models. JCB claimed that a major advantage of the new models is the Kohler diesel engine, which requires no DPF. It reduces cost of ownership and offers ease of maintenance. JCB’s chief innovation and growth officer Tim Burnhope said the compact exca
    Read More
  • A history lesson in private public partnerships
    February 15, 2012
    Michel Démarre gives some historical insights into public-private partnerships conceived to implement urban infrastructure projects, a concept that surprisingly dates back to as early as the 13th century!
    Read More

Highlighted Content