AirTrain: Eco-friendly train travel

Train journeys are one of the most comfortable and memorable ways of traveling. However, if the train becomes crowded, you may feel uncomfortable instantly; because, the amount of carbon dioxide content in the passenger cabin rises abruptly, thus makes the available air impure. Fransesco Codice, a Product Design Graduate from San Marino, describes the concept of a purification process in trains, which cleans the impure air and releases fresh oxygen back to the passenger cabin. This not only makes your journey a memorable one, but also makes it Eco-friendly.

AirTrain

Project AirTrain

Fransesco opens up that the process of purifying air by means of certain green plants, has been discovered and patented by NASA, already. This technology enhances the ability of certain plants to purify the air, by means of micro-organisms known as Pathogens. If such plants are grown on trains, they will help to convert the excess carbon dioxide gas into oxygen. Fransesco takes up this project to study the purifier form and about the train's cabin space and interior designs, so as to extract maximum benefits

Fransesco's project involves the study of growth of these plants just below the roofs on both sides of the passenger cabin. This means that they will be placed above the passenger's seats. These plants will be held inside a transparent compartment. In fact, these plants will be visible to the passengers inside the cabin as well as to the people outside away from the train. The reason for making it transparent to the external side, is to allow sun rays enter inside, which is very essential for the growth of plants. The carbon dioxide gases are absorbed by the plants through small ports. They undergo certain chemical reactions and released oxygen back to the passenger cabin through small outlets. The released air is highly purified; thus, creates a comfortable atmosphere to the passengers in the train.

This project is one of the best initiative for making train journeys more comfortable and environment friendly. To mention, this project is developed in a working group. Rarely, someone might have taken this issue as a major problem for train journeys. However, the in-depth details of the project are unavailable for comment. The number of passengers in the compartment might have certain limits or some relative ratios, depending on their sizes and capacity. The penetration of light through these plant segments might be blocked. However, this should not be a major issue, as ample light would enter through the side windows during the daytime.

The feasibility of implementing this concept in all kinds of trains in quite uncertain. The addition of plants should not bring any pungent odor, which in turn affects the passengers in the other way. The surviving capability of the plants for a long time is unknown. However, the study must have thoroughly analyzed most of the extreme situations before concluding the result. We shall hope to see this project implemented on trains, very soon. We would be able to make eco friendly journeys and enjoy the nature outside, right at the comfort of our seats.