Evaluation of the thermal environment of waiting room at small-scale railway stations in cold regions

Previous studies have surveyed the thermal environment of railway stations buildings in urban areas with moderate climate. However, there is little knowledge of the environmental characteristics and usage situation of regional railway stations. The purpose of this study is to investigate the thermal environment of small-scale railway stations in cold regions to expand our knowledge on station design. Field survey and questionnaires were conducted at small-scale railway stations in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. The surveys indicated that the thermal environment of the waiting room was relatively comfortable in summer, but problems were identified in winter. The air temperature fluctuated drastically, and the indoor air quality tended to be deteriorated in winter. Changes in heating method and building plan are desirable for improvement of indoor environment.