This paper mainly discusses the design and research of an intelligent energy-saving system for highway tunnel lighting. With the increase in highway traffic volume, the demand for tunnel lighting has grown significantly. Traditional lighting systems not only consume high energy but also struggle to meet the requirements under dynamic traffic conditions. Therefore, developing an intelligent lighting energy-saving system is particularly important. This paper first analyzes the basic components of existing highway tunnel lighting systems and their shortcomings, pointing out the limitations of traditional lighting systems in terms of energy efficiency and flexibility. Next, it proposes a design scheme for an intelligent lighting system based on Internet of Things (IoT) technology and big data analysis. This system, by installing smart sensors, can monitor traffic flow and environmental changes in real time, automatically adjusting lighting intensity and operating modes to achieve optimal lighting effects. Additionally, this paper conducts simulation experiments on energy-saving effects, with results showing that the designed intelligent lighting system can achieve energy savings of 20% to 40% compared to traditional systems while meeting safety and visibility requirements.