Impact of Local Comfort Zones in Long-Distance Rolling Stock on Objective and Subjective Thermal Comfort Rating

Abstract

We present first results of a study addressing the impact of local thermal comfort zones on the objective and subjective thermal comfort rating. The study is conducted in a realistic train geometry representing the lower deck of the DLR’s next generation train. Subject questionnaires and calibrated thermal manikins are used to capture comfort-relevant quantities. Cabin displacement ventilation with rather low supply air temperatures is employed as baseline ventilation and up to six individually con-trollable infrared (IR) heating panels enable the creation of local comfort zones. The three main findings are: a) the IR heating panels can compensate the cold-feet effect of low-temperature cabin displacement ventilation. This positive effect is also measurable for reduced IR panel configurations, which have a reasonable energy demand. As a result, a combination of highly effective displacement ventilation with a reduced IR panel configuration provides the potential for reducing the energy demand of the HVAC system. b) Activation of the IR panels strongly decreases the amount of dissatisfied passengers compared to the reference case. Further, giving the control of the IR panels to the individual passengers almost doubles the amount of satisfied passengers. c) The tem-perature evaluation of e.g. warm temperatures in the leg room differs significantly between male and female passengers. Solely the latter finding highlights the importance of local, individual comfort zones.