Energy saving strategy of highway tunnel lighting mainly concentrated on shading facilities at tunnel entrances and exits, lighting intelligent control systems and lighting design methods. The contrast revealing coefficient qc is widely recognized as a key index used to assess the quality of tunnel lighting. The optimal values of the contrast revealing coefficient are associated with the optimal visual effecicy in tunnel lighting. This study aimed to give a new energy saving strategy based on optimal luminaire installation methods. Light Emitting Diode lamps (LED) were selected in tunnel lighting simulation experiment. The optimal luminaire installation method was determined by considering both the lighting quality evaluation system and the optimal value of the contrast revealing coefficient. Then, the lighting conditions achieved through the optimal luminaire installation method can be assessed based on the detection distance of small targets. Results showed that lighting environment under optimal luminaire installation method can fulfill the criteria for safe driving and visual comfort. Compared with the original luminaire installation method, the optimal luminaire installation method can save 24.32% of electrical energy.