from 2021 to 2026. Tunnels make it easier to transport people, vehicles and goods quickly at the expense of higher costs and higher risks. Optimum heating ventilation and air conditioning, signalization, lighting, emergency response, surveillance and more are created by tunnel automation. Through minimizing human efforts and providing renewable sources of energy, tunnel automation can reduce costs. By creating an ideal environment for rapid transportation, tunnel automation is also expected to maximize safety. Strict government regulations, increasing incidents of road accidents that lead to high demand for increased security and increasing integration of cloud computing technology and IoT into tunnel automation solutions are the key factors driving the adoption of tunnel automation.
- Strict government regulations, increasing incidents of road accidents that lead to high demand for increased security, and increasing integration of cloud and IoT into tunnel automation solutions are the key factors driving the adoption of tunnel automation.
- Due to the rise in tunnel buildings across the globe, the market is seeing demand for tunnel automated components.
- There has been an increase in the use of highways and railways due to factors such as population growth and rapid urbanization. This has contributed to APAC's increasing demand for solutions for tunnel automation.
- Increasing demand for improved safety and security due to increasing incidents of road accidents; increasing integration of tunnel automation solutions with innovative technologies such as cloud storage and the Internet of Things (IoT); and increasing numbers of tunnel construction projects worldwide are some of the key factors driving the global tunnel automation market.
Tunnel Automation Market Segment Analysis - By Component
During the forecast period 2021-2026, HVAC segment is expected to grow
at a CAGR of 8.4%. As tunnel enclosures have limited access from the outside and are without natural ventilation, the growth of this market can be attributed to the absolute necessity of providing forced ventilation inside the tunnels. The HVAC system's functions within a tunnel include the supply of fresh air to passengers and staff members; the removal of harmful gases; the removal of heat generated from subcomponents of the metro and train; the prevention of moisture formation through water and body sweat infiltration; and the removal of fumes and vapours from water coolers, lighting systems, and escalators, among others.
Tunnel Automation Market Segment Analysis - By Tunnel Type
Highways & Roadways is projected to grow during the forecast period at the highest
CAGR of 8.0% through 2026. The adoption of automated equipment in the tunnels has been propelled by the increasing number of road tunnel accidents. Since 2000, the average prevalence of tunnel fire accidents has increased annually, with the majority of occurrences occurring in the summer and winter seasons and the least occurring in the autumn season. Due to the rise in tunnel buildings across the globe, the market is seeing demand for tunnel automated components. For example, China has recently built the largest road tunnel in the world, which is 7 km long and costs about USD 170 million on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, reducing the time to reach Tibet by two hours. The growth has been further supported by increasing tunnel safety regulations to reduce the number of accidents. According to the European Commission, over 27,000 people lost their lives in 2019 due to road accidents in the EU. As a result, EU law has set minimum safety requirements for tunnels, including measures to prevent them from becoming death traps in an accident. More than 1300 kms of main road tunnels will have been upgraded to meet the highest safety standards in 2019, according to the EU. These factors are driving the growth of tunnel automation products in the segment of highways and roadways.
Tunnel Automation Market Segment Analysis - By Geography
APAC is expected to dominate the global Tunnel Automation market with a share of more than 35% during the forecast. The main regional contributors to the growth of the tunnel automation market in APAC in the coming years are expected to be China and India. Infrastructure in APAC is developing at a significant rate due to rapid urbanization and economic growth in different countries in the region. The increasing investment in tunnel construction is expected to drive the region's tunnel automation market. According to ITA, the major tunneling markets in APAC are Japan, South Korea and Singapore, while Malaysia is becoming more important with a market of EUR 400 million and a growth of 40 percent in three years. Increasing investment in tunnel infrastructure by the Chinese government, along with the increasing adoption of tunnel automation solutions for railway, subway and road tunnels, has contributed to the increased demand for tunnel automation solutions in the country. In addition, factors such as population growth and rapid urbanization have led to an increase in the use of highways and railways. This has led to APAC's increasing demand for tunnel automation solutions.
Tunnel Automation Market Drivers
Increasing cases of road accidents causing the government to form regulations
One of the main factors driving the rising value of the market is increasing cases of tunnel accidents and strict regulations set out by the government due to these variables. Tunnels are underground covered paths that are constructed from one place to another for the ease of passage or diversion of traffic. Due to these underground systems, covered accessible from the two entrances and exit points, a number of systems need to be installed for the drivers' safety and convenience. These systems are allegedly lighting systems, ventilation, signals, and others. To avoid any mis-happenings and ease of conveyance for the drivers, these systems are installed.
Rise of integration of cloud based and IoT systems in tunnel automation systems
Increasing demand for improved safety and security due to increasing road accident incidents; increasing integration of tunnel automation solutions with innovative technologies such as cloud storage and the Internet of Things (IoT); and increasing numbers of tunnel construction projects around the world are some of the key factors driving the global market for tunnel automation. The Internet of Things (IoT), data analytics, and cloud computing technology are integrated with tunnel automation solutions, which provide end users with a competitive advantage over conventional management systems. IoT allows the sharing and transfer of data between independent control systems and other devices, such as thermostats, sensors and lighting fixtures. However, to analyze tunnel efficiency, the data received from these connected devices and control systems must be interpreted. Big data empowers end-users to control, optimize, and enhance tunnel operations using cloud and loT technologies in this regard. Big data and cloud computing help tunnel operators and facility managers effectively track and analyze critical building performance information. Thus, the integration of these technologies will drive the growth of the tunnel automation market during the forecast period.
Tunnel Automation Market Challenges
Limitations to the number of participants and inconvenience to some parties
The major disadvantage is upfront capital cost. Tunnel automation is costly to build, difficult to transport, and requires important backup systems and power. Large stones and boulders can obstruct the drive.
Tunnel Automation Market Landscape
Technology launches, acquisitions, and R&D activities are key strategies adopted by players in Tunnel Automation Market. Tunnel Automation Market is expected to be dominated by major companies such as Siemens, Johnson Controls, ABB, Sick, Honeywell, Atlas Copco UK Holdings, Others
Acquisitions/Technology Launches
- In September 2020, Siemens had partnered and implemented latest tunnel automation and digital technologies for the prestigious Atal Tunnel project. The total length of the tunnel located at ‘Rohtang Pass’ is 9.02 km and is at an elevation of 3,100 meters (10,000 feet), which makes it the world’s longest at this altitude.
