Market Trends of Tunnel Automation Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Tunnel Automation Market according to our research experts:
Highways and Roadways to Hold a Significant Share
- Tunnels in highways and roadways are required to be built within a stipulated amount of time due to government pressure to complete construction within set goals and need to meet strict safety standards in terms of power, water, and airflow supply. Modern road safety management is also focused on safety in tunnels. Furthermore, the safety measures of tunnels built on roadways or highways need the integration of fire protection, ventilation, traffic guidance, communications, and lighting.
- Owing to the heightened demand for safety measures in tunnels to avoid accidents in the long run, governments and construction bodies are integrating tunnel automation systems. The demand for automation systems is further driven by the increasing necessity of the supervision and monitoring of traffic safety.
- Over the forecast period, the sensors used in tunnel automation systems are anticipated to be integrated with IoT systems to facilitate smooth monitoring and controlling of lighting, ventilation, power supply, fire detection, and pumps in the tunnel that are built on roadways and highways. Technological advancements in the studied market are expected to help road workers immensely, reducing workload and optimizing the safety measures in the tunnels built in roadways.
- Across geographies, the market is witnessing demand for tunnel automated components owing to the increase in tunnel constructions. Especially in emerging economies that are highly focused on advancing their road infrastructural portfolio can be identified to invest heavily in tunnel construction.
- In developed economies, investments are flowing into tunnel construction projects to expand existing projects and facilitate better communication of roadways and connections between highways. The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion Project makes for a good example in the United States. The project slated at USD 3.8 billion is anticipated to be completed by November 2025. The project is aimed at widening the current four-lane segments along nearly ten miles of the I-64 corridor in Norfolk and Hampton, with new twin tunnels across the harbor.
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Europe Market to Grow Significantly
- The rise in tunnel construction in many European countries, such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy, among others, can be ascribed to the market's growth in this region. Several significant tunnel projects are either in the development stage or in the pipeline.
- For instance, in November 2021, construction work started on the German side of an underwater tunnel connecting Germany and Denmark. The EUR 7 billion projects under the Baltic Sea are set to be completed by 2029. It is expected to be one of the world's longest road and rail tunnels.
- Further, in April 2022, Webuild and its Swiss subsidiary CSC Costruzioni successfully completed the test run of a robot called AXEL (Autonomous Exploration Electrified Vehicle), a prototype based on avantgarde technology to improve the safety of workers involved in the excavation of the Turin-Lyon base tunnel. The innovative, remote-controlled robot is able to inspect the atmospheric conditions of a tunnel where potential risks are unknown. It also marks the first example in Italy of the use of robotics to explore a tunnel at the site of a planned railway.
- Roadway tunnels are among the most accident-prone zones when it comes to road transport, especially highways, as the vehicles travel at high speed. It is crucial to maintain sufficient lighting conditions inside the tunnel to ensure a smooth flow of traffic as vehicle drivers can identify obstacles and navigate through the tunnel without reducing speed. As such, there is a significant demand for tunnel lighting systems in the region.
- For instance, Signify is working with installer Bravida to illuminate a 21-km expressway bypass designed to relieve traffic congestion in Stockholm. Of the road's' total distance, more than 18 kilometers will be in a tunnel, which will be illuminated by the specially designed tunnel luminaires provided by the company.
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