Visual Landscape Optimization Design Guidelines for Ultra-Long Highway Tunnels

With the rapid expansion of China's expressway network, significant progress has been made in the construction of ultra-long tunnels (>3,000 meters in length). However, the enclosed and monotonous visual environment within these tunnels also poses safety risks such as driver fatigue, decreased attention, and increased accident rates. Traditional tunnel landscape design often faces a dilemma: oversimplification can easily cause visual fatigue, while excessive decoration can easily distract attention. There is a lack of scientifically quantified standards to achieve a balance between visual stimulation and driver safety. Therefore, this study proposes guidelines for optimizing visual landscape design that balances safety and driving experience. Based on Gestalt psychology, this study constructs a visual element quantification model centered on perceptual organization principles (such as proximity and similarity) to replace traditional physical component classification methods. Through a tunnel landscape image evaluation experiment, 40 drivers were invited to rate 50 tunnel images on the basis of attention and comfort, generating a total of 4,000 data points for analysis. Key findings indicate that the number of visual elements significantly influences driver attention and emotional state. The optimal range is 4–5 elements, which best maintains concentration and driving comfort. Too few (1–3) can lead to an "information desert," increasing cognitive load and fatigue. Too many (6–9 or more) can easily cause distraction and anxiety. This study focuses on shifting tunnel landscape design from a single-engineering safety focus to a balanced emphasis on human factors and safety, providing a scientifically quantified basis and implementation path for the landscape design of the super-long tunnels on the Nujiang Expressway

Distraction · Gestalt psychology · Perception · Traffic and Road Safety · Underground infrastructure and sustainability · Urban Green Space and Health

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