Why do cars slow down in tunnels?

Experts say there are psychological and perceptual reasons that many drivers hesitate at tunnels. “Some people who are nervous about confined places and dark places respond to that nervousness by slowing down,” said Mark Scerbo, a psychology professor at Old Dominion University.



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No - it's the other way around. What's known as the “piston effect” occurs in tunnels, where the air in front of a passing train has to be pushed in front of the train rather than being dissipated in all directions in the open air.

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Underground structures last a significantly longer life time than above-ground structures. Approximately about 50 years for above-ground, over 100 years for tunnels.

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Make sure you get in lane early. Make sure your lights are on. It's really important to see and be seen – that sunny day won't make any difference when you're in a tunnel. Keep an eye out for speed limits, as they might change as you approach a tunnel so stay alert for signs near or on the tunnel entrance.

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This is said to be less for superstition and more for safety. In the past, tunnels used to be only a single-lane wide, so drivers would honk to let cars coming from the opposite direction know they were driving through.

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Although this is also seen to a certain extent in bridges, it is not to the extent seen in tunnels. Events such as earthquakes and floods, which are the major causes of collapse of other structures, account for only about 10% to 20% of all tunnel collapses.

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Because they're stronger that way. Tunnels are circular to take advantage of the characteristics of soil and rock. Soil and rock are resistant to crushing forces (compressive forces). By rounding the ceiling, the weight of the soil and rock from the top to are balanced over the entire tunnel, increasing its strength.

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