Railway passengers`comfort sensations due to pressure variations on a train

Abstract

Upcoming changes in tunnel construction in Germany will lead to extended pressure variations while riding on a train. Thus, a reduced pressure comfort for passengers is implicated. As part of the project “Next Generation Train” at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) an experimental study was conducted investigating the individual comfort sensations of railway passengers. The laboratory experiment with N = 31 participants aged 19 to 71 (M = 37.7, SD = 12.7) was realised in the pressure chamber TITAN of the DLR-Institute of Aerospace Medicine. We investigated the effects of systematically varied pressure alterations on the evaluation of comfort using a 7-point rating scale. Compared to existing comfort criteria, our study focused on a wider range of pressure amplitudes and a longer duration of pressure changes. Random effects linear and logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine dose-response relationships regarding pressure changes and resulting comfort assessments. Higher pressure amplitudes, shorter durations and an increase in pressure compared to a decrease caused higher discomfort. Pressure variation discomfort thresholds are helpful in establishing at what pressure amplitude/duration combinations countermeasures shall be taken to ensure passengers’ satisfaction. The findings may inform decision makers on the forthcoming requirements of railway passenger comfort