How to Keep Subways and Trains Cool in an Ever Hotter World

London's Tube is a sizzling hot nightmare for commuters. Temperatures soaring above 40C, forcing passengers to squirm in sweltering discomfort.

One researcher has come up with an idea that may bring some relief - a cooling system using water from underground aquifers. The water acts as a "refrigerant" and can remove massive amounts of heat from the tunnels.

The concept was tested in a chalk quarry near Reading, where temperatures were cooled by about 10-11 degrees Celsius after just one hour of operation. But before this technology could be implemented on the Tube, a lot more work needs to be done. Transport for London has been cautious in its response so far and is concerned that it may not be feasible due to costs.

On top of using cooling systems, some train manufacturers are now painting their trains with reflective materials that can reflect heat rather than absorb it. While this might sound like a cheap fix, it could indeed prove to be more cost-effective than implementing air-conditioning systems.

However, even the most advanced cooling technology faces its own set of challenges - for instance, how do you keep the system from failing when faced with extreme temperatures?

Ugh, can't imagine riding the Tube on a day like today ! I mean, 40C is insane! But, seriously, this cooling system idea has some potential . I'm glad someone's working on it. The reflective train paint thing sounds like a temporary fix at best, but hey, if it helps reduce our carbon footprint and saves us from overheating, that's a win in my book . And yeah, the aquifer water cooling system is still a long shot due to costs, but it'd be amazing to see it implemented on the Tube eventually . The big question is how do we ensure the system doesn't fail when temps are extreme? That's where the research comes in... fingers crossed!

ugh man, can't believe we're still stuck on this one in 2025 lol anyway, i think it's super cool (pun intended) that there's a researcher working on a cooling system for the tube. it's crazy how high temps are making life unbearable for commuters. and using water from underground aquifers as a "refrigerant" is like something out of sci-fi

but yeah, i get why transport for london is being cautious about costs. and reflective train paint jobs might seem like an easy fix but maybe it's better than nothing? meanwhile, the challenges of implementing advanced cooling systems aren't just about the tech - what if it fails when temps are extreme? that's a major concern

This whole thing is like, what's the real plan here? Are we really gonna let our transport system suffer just to save a few quid? I mean, think about it, the Tube is one of the oldest systems in the world and we're still struggling with basic maintenance. Can't we afford to invest in some proper cooling tech instead of patching things up with a Band-Aid solution like reflective paint? And what's with Transport for London being all cagey about this new system? It's like they don't want to take responsibility for making our commutes more bearable...

I'm not surprised that the Tube is a sauna down there, 40C is scorching hot! I think using water from underground aquifers to cool down the tunnels is genius . It's like a sci-fi movie where they just pump in some ice and voilà, cooler temperatures.

But, yeah, Transport for London needs to weigh the costs and benefits before investing in this tech. I mean, it might be more expensive upfront, but think about all the commuters who'll have to deal with heatstroke . It's worth a shot, right?

And those reflective train paints are a decent idea too . Not as cool as actual AC, but better than nothing, right? I just hope they can figure out how to make it last longer than 1 hour without failing . The Tube needs all the help it can get during these heatwaves!

Ugh, can u imagine walkin down the Tube in 40C heat like it's no big deal?! I'm all for innovatin, but this is just ridiculous. I mean, ain't we livin in the 21st century already? Can't we afford some decent air-con on our trains?! It's not like they're askin us to pay more for a fancy new iPhone or somethin'!

And don't even get me started on this cooling system idea. I mean, it sounds cool (pun intended), but have u thought about the logistics? Like, where are we gonna get all that water from?! And what about the energy costs?! It's all well and good, but let's not forget about the bottom line, ya know?!

And then there's this reflective paint stuff. I mean, it's a nice idea, but is it really worth it if it just means we gotta deal with some extra heat? Can't we just invest in somethin' better?!

But seriously, what's the holdup here?! Transport for London needs to get their act together and sort this out ASAP! We deserve better than bein stuck on a train that feels like an oven ️

omg can u imagine walkin on the tube during summer like that?! 40c is like a heat wave lol anyway i think this cooling thingy using underground water sounds legit i mean its not perfect but its better than nothin right?? and reflective paint on trains is a nice touch too less maintenance means $$$ for transport for london yay at least they're thinkin outside the box instead of just throwin money at ac systems

London's Tube is literally a sauna in the middle of summer, and it's all because they need to upgrade their climate control system ASAP. I mean, 40C is just crazy! Have you ever tried squirming on a packed train when it's this hot? Not fun.

I love the idea of using water from underground aquifers as a cooling agent. It's like something out of sci-fi, and if it works, that would be amazing. And yeah, painting trains with reflective materials is a good start, but it's not the same as having proper air conditioning.

The thing that worries me is how they're going to implement this tech without breaking the bank. I'm all for innovation, but we can't just leave the Tube users in the dust like this. They need to find a way to make it work without sacrificing too much.

And what about the maintenance costs? If the system fails, who's gonna fix it? It's one thing to test the tech in a quarry, but it's another story when you're dealing with a massive network of tunnels and trains. We need some concrete plans for this ASAP!

I FEEL FOR THOSE LONDON COMMUTERS!!! 40C IS INSANE!!! I THINK USING COOLING SYSTEMS FROM UNDERGROUND AQUIFERS IS A GOOD IDEA! BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT'S NOT GOING TO BE CHEAP!!! TRANSPORT FOR LONDON NEEDS TO GET ON BOARD WITH THIS ASAP SO PEOPLE DON'T GO CRAZY IN THE TUBE!!! AND REFLECTIVE TRAINS ARENT A BAD IDEA EITHER, MAYBE WE COULD SEE A COMBINATION OF BOTH?! BUT SERIOUSLY, HOW DO YOU ENSURE THAT THESE SYSTEMS WORK PROPERLY WHEN IT GETS REALLY HOT?

I can imagine those daily commutes in London would be a real test of patience . On one hand, it's awesome that researchers are looking into innovative solutions to beat the heat, like this cooling system idea . But have you ever thought about how it relates to our own lives? Sometimes we try new things and they seem like a silver bullet , but what if they don't work out? What if there's another layer of complexity involved that we're not thinking about? It's like trying to fit all the puzzle pieces together - sometimes you have to take a step back and re-evaluate . Maybe instead of looking for the perfect solution, we should focus on finding ways to adapt and make do with what we have .

omg u can imaging getting on the tube during heatwave lol like 40c is crazy! so this new cooling thingy sounds pretty cool (get it?) i mean using water from aquifers to chill the tunnels sounds genius. like, imagine being able to ride the tube without melting they tested it in a quarry and it worked like a charm - temps dropped by 10-11 degrees . but yaaas tfL is worried about costs rn... like, can't we just make it work? reflective trains are a good idea tho, might be cheaper than AC systems lol. but what if the cooling system fails when its like super hot outside? that's a major con gotta figure out how to make it reliable

Ugh I don't wanna ride the Tube anymore in this heat lol! 40C is crazy! They need to get that cooling system up and running ASAP. Testing it out in a quarry is a good start, but Transport for London needs to stop playing it cool (get it?) and just make it happen already! I feel like they're being super cautious cuz of the costs... but think about all the poor commuters suffering through this heatwave . And yeah, using reflective materials on trains is a good idea too, I've seen those fancy trains in Japan that are basically radiators on wheels . But seriously, how can they make sure it doesn't fail when it's super hot? That's like the ultimate test of engineering

man... the thought of riding the Tube in that heat is just too much ... it's crazy they're not considering this water-based cooling system ASAP. I mean, can you imagine walking into an air-conditioned train after being stuck in a sweltering carriage for ages? game changer . And yeah, cost is a thing, but like, isn't our health worth more than a few quid? transport for london needs to get on board with this ASAP.

and I love the idea of reflective trains... it's genius in a way - who knew something as simple as paint could make such a big difference? but at the end of the day, it's still just a bandaid solution. what really needs to happen is some serious investment in proper cooling systems that don't rely on gimmicks or cheap fixes. we deserve better .

this is exactly what I mean by govt needs to invest in our infrastructure - a simple solution like cooling systems or reflective trains could make such a huge difference for commuters, but no one's willing to take the risk... transport for london is being too cautious as usual. i'm all for innovation and trying out new tech, especially when it comes to improving people's quality of life. but what about the potential costs? shouldn't we be prioritizing our citizens' comfort over saving a few bucks? and btw, how long do you think it'll take for these cooling systems to become a standard feature on the tube - is it just a pipe dream or will londoners finally get some relief from this sweltering heat wave?

Ugh, I feel so bad for all those commuters stuck in that scorching heat down there ! But, on a more positive note, this underground cooling system idea is genius! Can't believe it actually worked out in the test and cooled the temp by 10-11 degrees Celsius after just one hour. That's some crazy tech right there!

But yeah, Transport for London needs to get on board ASAP with this tech. I mean, think about all those people who can't even take a normal train ride because of the heat ! Painting trains with reflective materials is a good start, but it's not a substitute for proper AC systems.

I'm all for exploring cost-effective solutions, but when you're talking about people's comfort and safety, it's gotta be worth it. Let's hope Transport for London gets its act together soon and brings some relief to those heat-struck commuters

can't imagine living in london in this heat gotta feel for those commuters stuck on the tube all day. think it's crazy that a simple cooling system could make such a big difference tho. reflective train paint is a cool idea too, but like you said, it's not a permanent fix

omg 40C is crazy hot !! can u imagine riding the tube during summer ? anyway i think this cooling system using underground water sounds like a great idea ! it's already shown promising results in that chalk quarry near reading. but yeah, transport for london needs to do more research and crunch those costs cuz u cant just slap on some fancy tech if it's gonna break the bank

reflective train paint is also an interesting idea - i never thought of that before its not like they need air con or anything, just a little bit of heat reflection can make a big difference. and who knows maybe future trains will have this feature built-in from the start

Man, can't believe the Tube's become a sizzlin' hot mess! 40C is crazy talk . I feel for all those commuters tryin' to get to work on time, sweatin' bullets in the process.

Now, this cooling system idea sounds like a game-changer – using underground water as a "refrigerant" and whatnot. That test in Reading was pretty impressive, 10-11 degrees Celsius in just an hour? Mind blown!

But, you're right, Transport for London's being cautious 'cause of costs. I get it, but think about all the money they'd save if they could just keep their trains from feelin' like walkin' into a sauna .

And reflective train paint job? Genius or cheap fix, who cares? Just don't wanna ride on a train that's gonna be hotter'n a blast furnace !

Ugh, can't say I blame anyone who's been sweating buckets on the Tube lately . Who needs personal space anyway? And yeah, reflective train exteriors might be a decent start, but honestly, it's not exactly the most elegant solution - imagine those trains glowing like giant mirrors in the dark . And don't even get me started on how that would affect Instagram followers... But seriously, if we're gonna have to suffer through heat waves, at least let's use some of that brainpower to create something actually cool (get it?).

.. can u imagine being stuck in that heat on ur way home after a long day?! it's actually kinda interesting that they're looking into cooling systems for the Tube. i think this is a great example of how innovation & thinking outside the box (or tunnel, lol) can lead to solutions. but yeah, implementing anything new comes with its own set of challenges. like, what happens when ur system breaks down in the middle of summer? does that kinda thing make u realize how important maintenance & backup plans are?