This study is conducted to provide theoretical background for building a pleasant road environment by improving tunnel landscape on highways. the study was identified variables which affect tunnel landscape and analyzed the interrelationship between e...
This study is conducted to provide theoretical background for building a pleasant road environment by improving tunnel landscape on highways. the study was identified variables which affect tunnel landscape and analyzed the interrelationship between each variable. Through the analysis, the study provides data regarding landscape variables to build user friendly highway tunnels and suggests quantitative methods and directions for tunnel landscape building.
In particular, this study focused on the “Cylinder Cut Shape Tunnel” since the tunnel received attention in relation to landscape and environmental considerations. From the existing studies, four variables for Cylinder Cut Shape Tunnel landscapes were chosen: lining thickness, lining surface design, planting near tunnel entrance, and safety facilities near tunnel entrance. In the study, the author took pictures of general Cylinder Cut Shape Tunnel landscape and created 24 simulation pictures by taking into consideration the interaction among the four variables. Thereafter, the survey of the landscape picture was conducted by using the landscape preference and the 8 pairs of landscape adjectives. The survey results were analyzed through the descriptive analysis, t-test, 4 way-ANOVA, factor analysis, and regression analysis. The author studied complex affects of the landscape variables over the landscape preference as well as characteristics of tunnel landscape.
The results of the study are as follows.
First, the landscape preference level for the simulation pictures at an average 5.24, at a middle level.
Second, The landscape preference characteristics were compared and amalyzed through the four variables. Two variables regarding the lining thickness (consistent lining thickness, changing lining thickness) have statistic difference in the landscape preference. In particular, the tunnel landscape preference was high when the tunnel utilized the taping method to make thick bottom lining and thin upper lining. Three variables regarding the surface design (original design, sculpture design, and colorful design) have statistic difference as well. The lining designs with sculpture and colors were preferred to the original lining design and the colorful design on the lining surface was most popular. As a result of the post-hoc comparison regarding the three lining designs, they showed clear differences. Overall, building a better tunnel landscape is possible by changing the lining thickness and designs on the lining surface. Planting and safety facilities near the tunnel entrance do not have much difference.
Third, 4-way ANOVA analysis was used to understand interactions among the four variables. As a result of the analysis, there is a significant difference in the landscape preference upon the interactions between lining design and planting near the tunnel entrance. The landscape with colorful species of trees is preferred with original lining surface design or sculpture design. When planting near the tunnel entrance is a simple green color, landscape with lining surface design with color was preferred. Therefore, in order to enhance the tunnel landscape preference, focusing on one area is better than using complex color variables at once.
Fourth, The factor analysis of the eight pairs landscape adjectives was used to evaluate characteristics of tunnel landscape on highways. Three factors were from the analysis to explain the characteristics of tunnel landscape: esthetics, safety, interest factors. With these three factors 71.223% of tunnel landscape can be explained. The regression analysis result indicated that aesthetics has the biggest impact on tunnel landscape and therefore it is important to increase aesthetics when build tunnel landscape.
Fifth, the study was analyzed the difference in the landscape preference among users. In the analysis result, there was no big difference in the landscape preference whether one holds a driver’s license or not. There was, however, a difference whether one is able to drive or not, and the ones who drive show higher landscape preference than the others who do not drive.
This study is meaningful since it analyzes practically applicable variables and their interactions and further suggests quantitative data as well as analysis methods regarding complex consideration of tunnel landscape. In the past, highways were built as simple structures based on effectiveness and economic feasibility. Nowadays however, more tunnels with less economic feasibility yet harmony with scenery and environmental consideration are built amid increasing sensitivity to landscape features.
In light of this, studies regarding tunnel landscape to bring harmony with natural scenery are needed through detailed analysis for landscape. More studies with specific figures regarding other types of facilities on highways other than Cylinder Cut Shape Tunnel will be more helpful for enhancing landscape on highways.