Design study commissioned for air-conditioning on the Tube

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Transport for London has ‘indicated its determination’ to find a solution to the long standing problem of introducing air conditioned trains on deep level lines by commissioning a two-stage concept design study which will look at the suitability of air conditioning systems on the Underground.

Commencing next June and running until January 2013 the first stage will examine if it is feasible for new rolling stock to be fitted with conventional air-conditioning units.

If this proves to be too problematic, Stage 2 will commence in January 2013 which will study the possibility of using an ice storage concept to cool the Tube down.

This study will continue until November the same year.

The main problem facing engineers is how to cope with the huge amount of hot air that conventional air-conditioning systems would dump back into the tunnels.

The results will be used to determine the specific requirements of the new Piccadilly and Bakerloo line trains. A prototype train for use on the deep level lines will be introduced by 2015.

Currently the only air-conditioned trains on the London Underground network are the Bombardier built Metropolitan line trains.

These have provided a welcome relief for many passengers during periods of humid weather and are a vast improvement on the old stock, the last of which is due to be scrapped by next summer.

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