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Baking Below Ground, Why is the Subway So Hot?
By
Dave Hogarty
Published Aug 28, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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By
Dave Hogarty
Published Aug 28, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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The next time you're standing on a subway platform silently suffering and sweating from oppressive heat, take intellectual comfort in the fact that you know exactly why it's so hot below ground. The New York Times' Michael Pollak explains the situation in his informative "F.Y.I." column. Despite the fact that underground subway stations are shielded from the sun, the temperature on platforms is often higher than above ground. Pollak gives a number of reasons for the phenomena:
- The "heat sink" effect, where heat is transferred from surfaces like the pavement to immediately cooler areas, like a subway station.
- Air conditioning. Ironically, the subway system is heated by the energy given off by the A/C that cools the interiors of trains.
- Lack of air conditioning. Subway stations are not air conditioned, with the exception of the 4/5/6 platforms at 42nd St., which tap into the A/C system cooling Grand Central Terminal.
One factor that was not mentioned is the fact that there is rarely a breeze on subway platforms. We've always found that it is somewhat cooler if you wait on the platform near an entrance or exit, where the air circulates a little more freely and it's not so hot.
(Subway Crowd, by taliashere at flickr)
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