Integration and Evaluation of Individual Thermal Comfort Zones in a German ICE Long-Distance Train

Abstract

With the “Demonstrator for Innovations in Passenger Comfort and Air-Conditioning” (DIRK) research facility we provide a stationary test facility for the development of innovations in travel comfort and air-conditioning systems of rail vehicles. Component tests can be carried out in an almost realistic environment without the risk and expense of testing on a moving train. Seat heating devices and infrared (IR) panels will be installed for 24 selected places, providing an individual control of heat release by personal mobile devices. During the tests, the mean temperature in the compartment (Tic) will be controlled and all energy consumptions (HVAC and additional systems) will be recorded. For the objective determination of the thermal comfort we use calibrated thermal manikins and comfort measurement systems providing the body segment-wise resolved equivalent temperature and PMV/PPD (EN14505-2). Additionally, subject tests with 80 volunteers including questionnaires on their personnel comfort evaluation will be performed for well-defined conditions (baseline, decreased compartment temperature, individual control of the panels and pre-defined settings). Based on the test campaign, we will be able to evaluate objective and subjective thermal comfort as well as the HVAC energy demand. Accompanying computational fluid dynamics (CFD) including thermal comfort models in a 6-row segment of the ICE carriage with IR-heating elements serves as an additional design and evaluation tool.