###### Abstract  
Recent advances in tunnel infrastructure have emphasized safety, operational efficiency and low operating costs. Modern tunnels are equipped with systems to improve both safety and operational performance. This study investigates the effect of tunnel lighting and vehicle breakdown scenarios on driver lane changing behaviour (LCB) using a driving simulator modelled on the third longest twin-tube tunnel. Data were collected from 125 drivers considering various driver characteristics with different lighting conditions and the presence of a stopped vehicle in a lane. The results show that drivers tend to slow down and change lanes more safely in response to red and flashing lights. In contrast, blue sky lights, which are designed to reduce stress and compare with other dangerous scenarios, had no significant effect on LCB. In addition, demographic factors such as gender and previous simulator experience played a role in influencing LCB tendencies. Female drivers and those familiar with simulators showed more cautious behaviour. The findings showed valuable insights into how tunnel lighting systems can improve safety. Results highlighted the potential for dynamic lighting and targeted driver training programs to improve tunnel safety. All these findings may contribute to ongoing efforts to improve traffic management and reduce accidents in tunnel environments.  
t 2024 14 11319 1  
has become a major concern in both developed and developing countries [7; 8]. The safety of road tunnels is influenced by various factors, including tunnel design, maintenance, monitoring systems, and the effectiveness of emergency response plans [5]. Tunnels can quickly become hazardous environments, especially during events such as fires, collisions, or vehicle breakdowns [9]. Accidents in tunnels often have more severe consequences than those on open roads due to limited space and ventilation [10; 11]. Given that tunnels are a critical component of road infrastructure, they must be a priority when considering driver behaviour [1]. Factors such as heightened mental stress, anxiety, increased driver alertness, and reduced confidence stemming from the perception that accidents in tunnels have more serious impacts can negatively affect driver performance compared to open roads [10; 12; 13]. Considering all these challenges, tunnel safety holds significant importance for road planners, researchers, and decision-makers.  
An analysis of research on tunnel operation and safety reveals that both safety and operational planning are crucial for the effective management of tunnels. Existing studies indicate that road accidents in tunnels occur due to a variety of factors. Most of these studies focus on the current state of tunnels, such as accident statistics, safety infrastructure, tunnel characteristics, and post-accident conditions. However, there appears to be a gap in the literature regarding how to effectively inform drivers about the presence or absence of a broken-down vehicle in a long tunnel and how this impacts their lane selection and lane-changing behaviour.  
To address this gap, this study proposes scenarios that allow drivers to safely change lanes in a tunnel and guide them to the appropriate lane based on the presence of a broken-down vehicle in the Zigana Tunnel, the third-longest twin-tube tunnel in the world [13]. These scenarios will be tested virtually using a vehicle simulator. The study aims to model drivers' lane-changing behaviour (LCB) under these simulated conditions and assess the positive or negative impact of the proposed scenarios on their behaviour, particularly in situations where a stopped vehicle may cause confusion. Additionally, the study seeks to quantitatively investigate and model the relationship between various parameters such as vehicle speed, gender, driver profile, route familiarity and drivers' lane-changing and utilization behaviour.