OBJECTIVES : A fog generated field test was conducted to analyze the relationship between the luminance of variable speed-limit signs and the legibility distance under various fog density conditions. By using this study, appropriate luminance values can be selected depending on the density of fog. METHODS: An actual tunnel was selected as the area to conduct the test, as other places cannot maintain the fog condition because of rapid air current. Ninety-two subjects were recruited for this test, which took place during the course of three days. Visibility-distance detecting sensor was used to measure the visibility distance due to the fog density time, simultaneously with the evaluation of legibility distance by subjects. RESULTS: The test results show the relationship between luminance values and the legibility distance corresponding to the visibility distance due to fog. According to the technical test results, lower luminance value such as 7000 cd/m2 corresponds to less legibility distance compared to higher values such as 20000 cd/m2 or 40000 cd/m2. However, the amount of difference between 20000 cd/m2 and 40000 cd/m2 is negligible in our test. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study can be used to select appropriate luminance of valuable speed signs under fog conditions. Hence, drivers can expect to have more room to respond to adverse weather conditions, thereby reducing the risk of accidents.

PURPOSES: This study aimed to evaluate the appropriateness of safety with the standard for threshold zone luminance as specified in the Recommendation for Lighting of Traffic Tunnel, which has been widely adopted worldwide. METHODS: A driving test of the subject in a full-scale road tunnel was conducted. The adaptation luminance and threshold zone luminance, which should be known for the driver to perceive an object within stopping sight distance, were obtained. These values were compared with the adaptation luminance and threshold zone luminance obtained by the existing reduced model test and tunnel lighting standard that has served as a guideline for the current threshold zone luminance standard. RESULTS : According to this study, threshold zone luminance should be increased to at least 1.8 times the value proposed in the existing studies and to twice the domestic tunnel lighting standard (KS C 3703: 2014). CONCLUSIONS : The threshold zone luminance proposed in this study differs largely from that obtained from indoor tests and from the current tunnel lighting standard used worldwide; this difference may be attributed to the fact that the indoor tests did not incorporate driving workload, non-uniformity of luminance distribution in terms of sight, and factors that reduce the visibility of the driver, such as the light reflected into the driver’s eyes. Hence, it is necessary to further review the factors that reduce the visibility of drivers approaching tunnels in order to determine the rational tunnel threshold zone luminance.