Thermal comfort evaluation of an underground metro station in New Delhi using agent-based modelling

Abstract

This paper presents an agent-based modelling approach to evaluate the thermal comfort of an underground metro station in New Delhi, India. Thermal characteristics of different zones of the metro station are evaluated through real-time field measurements and subjective surveys. Exposure time of passengers is assessed with the walking speed, time taken for process activities and stochastic events during peak and off-peak periods of metro operation. Agent-based model is developed to capture the dynamics of exposure time, metabolic rates and clothing insulation. Thermal comfort is estimated using relative warmth index (RWI) employing dynamic exposure time, metabolic rates and clothing insulation data for alighting and boarding sequences. The estimated RWI values are validated using subjective thermal sensation votes reported by the passengers. Neutral temperature is estimated for different zones of the metro station considering the exposure time and metabolic rates.