THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, April 12, 1995 TAG: 9504110014
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 31 lines
As a commuter who uses the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel daily, I was at first pleased to see that the authorities had placed extra strong lighting (the new extra yellow lights) at the entrance to the tunnel on both sides. Obviously, this eases the transition during daylight from the bright outside light to the inside of the tunnel.
However, I have been surprised that the tunnel authorities are leaving these bright lights on at night. The effect of this is to shock the eyes of drivers as they come from the dark night sky into the brilliant, heavily lighted entrance. This is quite uncomfortable and no less dangerous.
I strongly recommend that the authorities turn off the heavy yellow lighting at the entrance to the tunnel on both sides at dusk. This would save the eyes of drivers, reduce potential accidents and save money.
If anything, after dusk the lights at the entrance to the tunnel should be dimmer than those in the center of the tunnel to allow the pupil of the eye to adjust gradually to the increase in brightness.
JEROME S. BLACKMAN, M.D.
Virginia Beach, April 4, 1995 by CNB