Author(s)

Zixin Zhang, Qinghua Lei, Qiang Xue

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This paper presents a new conception—ecological tunnel, which is contrived to meet increasingly tough challenges in the 21st century. Ecological tunnel refers to integrating ecological principles into tunnel design, construction and operation in order to create a balanced and sustainable tunnel-nature system. It consists of four elements: green tunneling, green lighting, green lining, and green recycling of excavated material. The conception, function and implementation of each part are elaborated in the paper. In addition, computer visualization technique is applied to simulate complicated internal conditions of an ecological tunnel.

Ecological Tunnel, Green Tunneling, Green Lighting, Green Lining, Green Recycling, Computer Visualization

Zhang, Z. , Lei, Q. and Xue, Q. (2011) Ecological Tunnel for the 21st Century: A New Conception and Methodology. Journal of Transportation Technologies, 1, 54-57. doi: 10.4236/jtts.2011.13008.