Abstract
Train is the most frequently used means of transportation in Tokyo. Train stations are gaining attention as commercial complex today, and higher level of comfort is being demanded for the indoor environment. Open structure of the train station and semi-outdoor like environment suggest that the thermal comfort condition is relaxed compared to indoor comfort standards. The objective of this study is to investigate the thermal comfort condition within train stations and to clarify the appropriate target for environmental control. Field surveys were carried out in summer, autumn and winter during July 2004 to August 2006 in four train stations located in urban area of Tokyo. Concourses were not air-conditioned except one station where spot cooling was operated in summer near the ticket gate. Each survey was conducted from 7:00 to 20:00 for 3 to 11 days per season per station for a total of 81 days. The survey consisted of thermal environment measurement and thermal comfort questionnaire. More than 80% of passengers felt thermally comfortable within the range of 19 to 29 °C SET*. However, acceptability zone was found to be 19 to 32 °C SET*, and it is recommended to design naturally ventilated train stations to fulfil this target.
Highlights
Train is the most frequently used means of transportation in Tokyo
Higher level of comfort is being demanded for the indoor environment including thermal comfort
Open structure of the train station and semi-outdoor like environment suggest that the thermal comfort condition is relaxed compared to indoor comfort standards
Summary
Most of the existing train stations in the urban area were built or rebuilt after 1950’s with a pragmatic objective to realize efficient mass passenger flow for rapidly growing population. Economic efficiency had a high priority and less attention was paid to the indoor environmental quality. Higher level of comfort is being demanded for the indoor environment including thermal comfort. Open structure of the train station and semi-outdoor like environment suggest that the thermal comfort condition is relaxed compared to indoor comfort standards. The objective of this study is to investigate the thermal comfort condition in naturally ventilated train stations to clarify the appropriate target for environmental control. Age groups ranged from 10’s to over 60’s. Group of 20’s was the largest, 29% of whole.
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