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sumpdiddlyump_ t1_itgwp2w wrote

I don’t understand the purpose of either, especially the heated floors. Are people walking barefoot on Metro??

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CriticalStrawberry t1_itgzn9u wrote

It's replacing the forced air heating on current trains as it's more efficient. So it's actually a core function and not a gimmicky add-on.

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hey_dingus t1_ithxg4d wrote

The ventilation system on the trains is a major weight contributor and power draw. The 7000 series trains weigh way more than the 2, 3, or 6k series. Heated floors, and the lighter ventilation system, could save a lot on the overall weight of the rail cars. Being heavy is part of the operational problems of the 7ks; more wear and tear on the rails, draws a lot more power from the 3rd rail than the legacy trains for all its systems, etc.

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Mack21 t1_itjfirv wrote

The 7000s being heavy is also why they’re fortifying the redline pier caps on the elevated sections of the track!

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jednorog t1_itlq6a3 wrote

Potentially a silly question, but given that we know airborne pathogens are around and here to stay, wouldn't a strong ventilation system be something to prioritize?

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chefr89 t1_itgxh9c wrote

i always appreciate good snark about metro, but I think studies have shown it's the most efficient way of heating homes. idk if that would be true of train cars though

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sumpdiddlyump_ t1_itgz87x wrote

Interesting! It just seems like needless complexity to me, but if it reduces costs, then that’s obviously a positive.

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CriticalStrawberry t1_itgzwp9 wrote

It may be counter intuitive, but it will actually reduce complexity. Wires or coils that get hot when you run power through them in the floor have a lot less that can go wrong than a full blown HVAC coolant loop system.

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Radtown t1_ith1dtb wrote

But you’ll still need the HVAC anyway so now you have two things that can break

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oxtailplanning t1_ithb4e8 wrote

Or you can now simplify the HVAC system to only need to perform one task instead of try to do two counter tasks.

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dcux t1_ithkf7x wrote

Air source heat pumps can deliver 3x the energy they consume, can be reversed to do heating or cooling, and are growing in popularity in residential systems.

If they're going to have an AC system already, why not this?

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oxtailplanning t1_ithks1t wrote

I assume there were numerous planning meetings, an analysis of alternatives, cost estimates, and many more things that we were not privy to here that factored into the decision.

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Xanny t1_ithodh7 wrote

we'd like to hope that it wasn't just someone getting an email and replying in 15 seconds with "SOLD"!

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WorkSucks135 t1_itimx3z wrote

It's WMATA. Meaning somebody high up is friends/family with someone who owns a company that installs/sells these systems and gave them the contact. Or just straight up took a bribe for it.

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ahmc84 t1_itgztg7 wrote

Don't worry, I'm sure it will be prone to failure.

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jofijk t1_ith5uhx wrote

It'll only function from may-september

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totallyuneekname t1_ithljkf wrote

I do! But I'm the only person I know who does. Barefooters are tough we don't need heated floors

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kallie412 t1_itjsgsj wrote

i have a recurring dream that i walk around barefoot. maybe it's my time to shine.

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