This review paper discusses whether counterbeam lighting can be applied to tunnels in the Netherlands. The paper describes both the theory and the studies conducted into counterbeam lighting in great detail. In contrast to traditional symmetrical lighting, counterbeam lighting aims the light in the opposite direction to incoming traffic. The counterbeam lighting idea stems directly from the luminance technique used in street lighting. The principle of the luminance technique is that the perception of road objects is determined by both the adaptation luminance, and by the contrast between the object and its surrounding environment. Counterbeam lighting has been a subject of discussion among tunnel lighting experts. Opinions are divided on the positive and negative effects of counterbeam lighting. The idea that counterbeam lighting is especially important in relation to stationary objects is underlying the controversy. The paper also gives an extensive consideration to the visibility of road markings in tunnels. A number of trials should be conducted in order to determine the advantages and disadvantages of counterbeam lighting for the Netherlands.
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