In order to solve the problem of improper selection of illumination source due to spectral energy distribution and correlated color temperature factors when selecting the tunnel illumination source, the spectral energy distribution and correlated color temperature of the common light source of highway tunnel are tested based on intermediate vision model, and the relationship between the spectral energy distribution of the common light source and the correlated color temperature is introduced. The calculation method of the S/P value of the spectrum is introduced. The relationship between the S/P value of the common light source and the correlated color illumination temperature of different tunnels is analyzed from the perspective of human perception. The research results show that: (1) The correlated color temperature of the LED light source increases with the increase of the blue light ratio. (2) The S/P value of different types of light sources does not have a onetoone correspondence with the correlated color temperature of the light source, but the S/P value of the LED light source increases with the increase of the correlated color temperature. (3) The metal halide lamps, white fluorescent lamps and LED light sources are suitable for tunnel illumination, but considering longterm illumination, it is more reasonable to use LED light sources with higher correlated color temperatures.