Light at the End of the A12 Motorway Tunnel with a little help from Wonderware

On a motorway with 24 tunnels, lighting is one of the most critical elements to driver safety. The proper level of visibility must be assured in relation to current weather conditions as well as time of day. A driver’s visibility must adapt quickly to sudden changes in lighting, and in a vehicle traveling at high speed covering several feet per second, proper roadway lighting is imperative.

Being blinded for only seconds can impede driver safety, so adjustments in traffic lighting are essential. With the many tunnels along the A12, proper adjustment of the tunnel lighting system is critical. For example, the entrance to a tunnel must be lit to replicate current outside lighting conditions, whether it be day or night. While in the tunnel, lighting must be adjusted to provide proper visibility along the roadway, with lighting intensity decreasing as the driver gradually approaches the inner section of the tunnel.

Lighting must then be readjusted to mimic the outside lighting conditions as a driver exits the tunnel. These critical lighting processes are automated and controlled by Wonderware software. Prior to automation, this activity was entrusted to a worker who had to manually adjust the lighting each hour of each day, and ensure they were properly modified to represent current outside lighting conditions.

This manual process had the potential of human error which threatens the safety of drivers. In addition, delays in lighting adjustments had an economic impact by requiring the hiring of staff and the inefficient use of electricity. A delay in adjusting the lighting by even few minutes can result into significant additional energy costs.

For this reason, the automated management using Wonderware System Platform enabled S.A.L.T. to implement a substantial technological advancement in the management of critical applications.

“Time scheduling is based on an astronomy calendar where sunrise and sunset timetables are stored, including possible corrections triggered by a network of twilight sensors and light meters, which detect real weather conditions. This process is important to the profitability of S.A.L.T. by ensuring that only the proper level of power consumption is used, avoiding all unnecessary powering of lights. Energy savings equates to cost savings, which has a significant impact on the company’s balance sheet.”

Eraldo Benedetto
Automation Manager
Giordano & C. S.p.A.

More information

For more information on this success story, you might want to check out the following links:

1. The A12 Motorway
2. Wonderware Supervisory Control