What it will be? "Opening windows" during the rainy season The railway companies will take action on June 2, 17:23

As one of the countermeasures against the new coronavirus, major railway companies in the Tokyo metropolitan area continue to operate while opening windows for ventilation.

Window operation

It's a well-established railway company's "window opening" service, but from now on, the rainy season will be more rainy and hot and humid. We asked the railway companies what they are thinking of.

What should I do to open windows?

"Do you want to continue operating with windows?" I asked 10 major railway companies in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

▽ "Continue" is three companies, JR East, Tokyo Metro, and Tobu.
▽"Do not open the window" is one of Keikyu companies.
▽6 companies were "under consideration".

“Is it okay if I don't open the window?” I asked the person in charge at Keikyu, and he said, “It's okay.”

Upon hearing the details, it is said that the 790 vehicles owned by Keikyu are equipped with air conditioning equipment that can take in outside air.

Although there are some differences depending on the type of air conditioning, it is said that the air will change in about 5 or 6 minutes per vehicle.

A person in charge of Keikyu explains, "Because outside air is forcibly taken in by air conditioning equipment, and commuter trains often open doors, I think that ventilation is sufficient without opening windows." I will.

On the other hand, in JR East, which replied “To continue”, 99% of the vehicles that they own are equipped with air conditioning equipment that can take in outside air.

Still, when I asked why they would continue.

A person in charge of JR East said, "I think it is important to operate windows to improve ventilation efficiency and above all, considering the psychological aspects of users."

How many vehicles have air conditioning?

Then, I investigated how many vehicles with air conditioning equipment can take in such outside air.

There are a total of 17,477 vehicles used for commuting trains owned by 10 major JR companies in JR East and the metropolitan area.

All vehicles were equipped with air conditioning for the purpose of air conditioning.

However, the number of vehicles equipped with an air conditioning system that can take in the outside air was 11,438, or approximately 65%.

Furthermore, looking at the ratio of each company,
▽ Keikyu and Keio 100%,
▽ JR East 99%,
▽ Keisei 80%,
▽ Tokyu 73%,
▽ Sotetsu 62%,
▽ Seibu 58%,
▽ Odakyu 46%,
▽ Tokyo Metro and Tobu 0%.

Tokyo Metro and Tobu explain, "We will continue natural ventilation by opening windows even during the rainy season and summer."

In addition, since it is difficult to cool the air in the midsummer season and passengers may suffer from heat stroke, each railway company is currently considering how best to open windows.

Regarding the in-vehicle ventilation of railways, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism said that it is investigating the current state of the vehicles of each company, and said, ``We will consider the optimal ventilation method in the rainy season and summer with the railway operator based on the difference in air conditioning equipment etc. I want to do it."