An Approach to the Study of Transport and Dispersion of Threat Agents in a Subway Station

Abstract

The objective of the proposed research is to assess the exposure of subway riders and workers to threat agents introduced in the subway environment. This article presents the study plan, considerations, and expected outcomes of a novel approach to study this issue. A modular scale model of a subway station has been erected from Metropolitan Transportation Authority of New York design specifications. This model will be used in a series of experiments to analyze airflow and dispersion patterns in the wake of a moving train and in an empty tunnel. Particle image velocimetry will be used to measure transient velocity profiles and concentration profiles.