How do photoelectric signs, a type of electromechanical equipment used in transportation, make traffic guidance smarter?
Publish Time: 2025-08-22
The importance of safe evacuation and emergency guidance systems in modern highway tunnels, underpasses, and complex transportation hubs is self-evident. In the event of an emergency, such as a traffic accident or fire, drivers and passengers are often nervous and their vision is obstructed. Traditional static signs, due to their low brightness, limited information, and lack of guidance, cannot provide effective guidance in emergency situations. However, with the development of intelligent transportation systems, photoelectric signs, featuring intelligence, dynamics, linkage, and high visibility, are becoming "smart guides" in tunnel emergency evacuation systems, truly making traffic guidance smarter.1. Dynamic Flashing and Graded Warnings: Accurately Delivering Emergency InformationUnlike traditional fixed reflective signs, photoelectric signs utilize LED light sources and feature programmable control, dynamic flashing, and multi-mode displays. Under normal conditions, the signs operate in a low-power, constant-on mode, indicating the location of emergency lanes, fire protection facilities, or emergency telephones. Once the tunnel monitoring system detects an accident, fire, or smoke, the control center can immediately remotely activate the photoelectric signs in the relevant area, switching them to a high-frequency flashing mode and providing dynamic directional guidance with arrows.2. Intelligent Linkage and System Integration: From "Isolated Indication" to "Global Response"Photoelectric signs do not operate independently but are deeply integrated into the tunnel's electromechanical monitoring and control system (SCADA), achieving multi-system linkage with the fire alarm system (FAS), video surveillance (CCTV), ventilation system, and public address system. When a fire detector sounds, the system automatically triggers the pre-set emergency plan, and the photoelectric signs immediately illuminate the optimal escape route according to the evacuation route, without manual intervention. Furthermore, some advanced systems support dynamic route optimization. For example, if an escape route is blocked by fire, the system can adjust the direction of the photoelectric signs in real time to guide personnel to alternative safe routes, achieving "on-the-fly guidance," greatly enhancing the flexibility and safety of emergency response.3. High Brightness and Low Energy Consumption: All-Weather Visibility, Eco-Friendly OperationPhotoelectric signs generally utilize high-brightness LEDs, ensuring clear visibility even in dense smoke, dust, or strong sunlight. Their light colors strictly adhere to national standards: red for prohibitions and warnings, green for passage and evacuation, ensuring accurate information recognition. Furthermore, LED technology inherently features low power consumption and a long lifespan. Combined with solar power or tunnel emergency power, they can continue operating for hours even in the event of a power outage, ensuring guidance throughout the evacuation process.4. Precise Positioning and Multi-Level Guidance: Building a "Three-Dimensional Evacuation Network"In long tunnels or dual-tunnel structures, photoelectric signs are strategically placed at key nodes: for example, emergency telephone and fire extinguisher location indicators are placed every 50 meters, "Enter Safe Tunnel" signage is installed at pedestrian intersections, and ground-mounted photoelectric guidance lights are installed at the entrance to the emergency lane. These signs form a hierarchical, continuous, closed-loop guidance chain, providing comprehensive guidance from the accident site to the evacuation route to the safe passage to the opposite tunnel. Especially when guiding vehicles through pedestrian-vehicle tunnels, photoelectric signs clearly indicate driving routes through directional arrows, text prompts, and color coded cues, preventing vehicles from straying into pedestrian lanes or driving in the wrong direction, thus ensuring orderly and efficient evacuation.5. Remote Monitoring and Fault Self-Detection: Intelligent Operation and Maintenance Ensures ReliabilityModern photoelectric signs feature remote status monitoring and fault self-detection. The control center can view the operating status of each sign in real time. If an LED is damaged, power supply anomalies are detected, or communication is interrupted, the system immediately issues an alarm and locates the fault point, facilitating rapid repair. This manageable and controllable operation and maintenance model ensures the long-term reliability of the emergency system and avoids the risk of failure at critical moments.Photoelectric signs, a type of electromechanical equipment used in transportation, have evolved from traditional "passive guidance" to intelligent safety terminals that offer "active guidance, intelligent response, and system linkage." They not only enhance tunnel emergency evacuation capabilities during emergencies, but also make traffic guidance truly "smart" through dynamic, intelligent, and visual information transmission.
