Comparison of local equivalent temperatures and subjective thermal comfort rating with regard to passenger comfort in a train compartment

Abstract

Two methods for assessing thermal passenger comfort are analysed and compared to each other in terms of different ventilation concepts and different inflow air temperatures in a generic train laboratory. The studied ventilation systems comprise state-of-the-art micro-jet ventilation and a novel vertical ventilation system called displacement ventilation. The latter is based on a homogeneous and low-momentum air supply near the floor. In a first step, tests with human subjects are conducted addressing both temperature sensation and evaluation. In a second step, objective thermal comfort parameters are acquired using a calibrated thermal manikin, which enables the measurement of local equivalent temperatures. For reason of comparability, the results of the subjects test are converted into equivalent temperatures. The results prove that both methods, subjective and objective, correspond well under steady-state thermal conditions. The data of the subject tests are characterized by significantly higher variations compared to the experimentally determined values. Concerning the overall thermal comfort, both ventilation systems show comparable results for the two investigated inflow air temperatures. However, the comfort distribution over the body parts differs significantly between the two ventilation concepts.