Landscape design of mountain highway tunnel portals in China

Landscape design of tunnel portals has been under intensive study in recent years. This paper summarizes the general development of highway tunnels and the main problems concerning highway tunnel entrances during this development phase in China. It then analyzes the significance of mountain highway tunnel landscape design in terms of preventing travel fatigue, visual adaptation, communicating and displaying culture, land marking, and environmental protection. Thirdly, it lays down the principles for landscape design, e.g. safety, failure prevention, physiological, anthropological, blending and economic principles. Lastly, it discusses the diversity of landscape designs in China, including types of tunnel portals, integration with local cultures (subdivided into ethnological culture, regional culture and historical culture), environmental protection awareness, lighting transitions in tunnel entrances, blending with the surrounding environment, symbolic and metaphorical skills in tunnel portal landscape design, and special decorations. The results suggest that landscape design of tunnel portals is a comprehensive artistic endeavor, involving local culture; bionomics; psychology; environment protection; lighting; structural techniques; new material implementation; and new technical arts. In conclusion, good landscape design requires intensive and collaborative interdisciplinary studies.

► We summarize the general development and problems of highway tunnels in China.
► We analyze the significance of mountain highway tunnel portals landscape design.
► We lay down the principles for mountain highway tunnel portals landscape design.
► We discuss the diversity of tunnel portals landscape designs in China.
► Good landscape design requires collaborative interdisciplinary studies.