Thermal Modeling and Parametric Analysis of Underground Rail Systems

Abstract

The climate of a representative section of a subway station is modeled using a 1-dimensional Modelica based software called IDA Tunnel. Station building maps, rolling stock schematics, ventilation rates, and passenger traffic information are used to achieve a near realistic model of the London Underground's Central Line, as a representative case study. The system's heat sources and sinks are identified, and the model is calibrated using onsite temperature sensor data in the station platforms and tunnels. A parametric analysis is performed on the system's heat sources and sinks to identify the key factors that influence the subway station's climate. Results show that having low outer wall tunnel temperatures can be most effective in lowering the temperatures during peak periods, followed by regenerative braking and increased ventilation rates. These results can allow analysis of alternative cooling methods under future train and passenger traffic scenarios on the passengers’ transient thermal comfort in subway stations.