Outdoor human thermal perception in various climates: A comprehensive review of approaches, methods and quantification

Potchter, Oded; Cohen, Pninit; Lin, Tzu Ping; Matzarakis, Andreas

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.02.276

Cited by 390 publications

(193 citation statements)

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“…In addition, and while critical studies pertaining to climatic indices were disseminated before the turn of the century [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13], since the ingress into the twenty-first century (and arguably further instigated by the arrival of the climate change adaptation agenda), the importance and development of climatic indices have increased. In accordance with the rational presented by Potchter et al [14], the associated research complexity intrinsic to climatic models can be seen under two prisms, the: (i) overall review, cataloguing, structuring, and fragmentation of index typologies based upon their equational suitability and methodical pertinence [15][16][17][18][19][20]; and, (ii) the pursuit and testing of the most suitable index to estimate thermal comfort thresholds within a specific outdoor and climatic setting [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28]. Both of these perspectives indicate the significance and opportunities regarding the correct approach to human thermal comfort thresholds within urban environments.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Investigating the Behaviour of Human Thermal Indices under Divergent Atmospheric Conditions: A Sensitivity Analysis Approach

Charalampopoulos

Nouri

2019

Atmosphere

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This paper aims to analyse and conclude about the behaviour of the most commonly used human thermal comfort indices under a variety of atmospheric conditions in order to provide further information about their appropriateness. Utilising Generalized Additive Models (GAMs), this article examines the indices’ sensitivity when exposed to diverse classified atmospheric conditions. Concentrated upon analysing commonly used human thermal indices, two Statistical/Algebraic indices (Thermohygrometric Index (THI) and HUMIDEX (HUM)), and four Energy Balance Model indices (Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET), modified PET (mPET), Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), and Perceived Temperature (PT)) were selected. The results of the study are twofold, the identification of (1) index sensitivity to parameters’ variation, and change rates, resultant of different atmospheric conditions; and, (2) the overall pertinence of each of the indices for local thermal comfort evaluation. The results indicate that the thermohygrometric indices cannot follow and present the thermal conditions’ variations. On the other hand, UTCI is very sensitive under low radiation condition, and PET/mPET present higher sensitivity when the weather is dominated by high radiation and air temperature. PT index provides the lower sensitive among the human energy balance indices, but this is adequately sensitive to describe the thermal comfort environment.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Investigating the Behaviour of Human Thermal Indices under Divergent Atmospheric Conditions: A Sensitivity Analysis Approach

Charalampopoulos

Nouri

2019

Atmosphere

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“…The most common index used among the above listed studies is the PET [19]. The study of Potchter et al (2018) demonstrated that out of 165 human thermal indices that have been developed, only four (PET, PMV, UTCI, SET*) are widely in use for outdoor thermal perception studies for different climates [20]. Additionally, Binarti et al (2020) confirmed the frequent use of PET in most review studies.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of the Outdoor Thermal Comfort in Oases Settlements

et al. 2020

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Oases throughout the world have become important ecosystems to replenish food and water supplies. The Saharan Oases exist above the largest underground water supplies in the World. In North Africa, oases witness significantly growing populations in the oasis towns and receive thousands of tourists yearly. In oasis settlements, the majority of the population spends most of the time outdoors, in extremely hot conditions; however, few studies have investigated urban outdoor thermal comfort conditions. Therefore, this study aimed to assess thermal comfort in the Tolga Oasis Complex and test the validity of the 'oasis effect' concept. The methodology is based on comparative field measurement and calculation approaches in the heart of Tolga Palm Grove and in different urban settlements. Results indicate highest heat stress levels (Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) index) in the oases Palm Grove in July, PET = 41.7 • C, and urban settlements, PET = 40.9 • C. Despite the significant difference between the old and new settlement fabrics, our measurements and calculation did not identify any noticeable variation of thermal comfort. Thus, the oasis effect on the outdoor thermal comfort was insignificant (during July and August 2018). Finally, the study discusses ways to improve outdoor spaces design and relieve heat stress in the settlements of Tolga.

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“…The results suggested that in addition to the geometry of the urban open space, the function of place could influence people's perceptions of V a . The research findings contribute to developing thermally comfortable outdoor environments.Climate 2019, 7, 106 2 of 17 the factors that significantly influence people's thermal comfort, wind speed (V a ) was found to play a key role in cities and particularly in densely built-up areas and between buildings [5,6].Research on wind comfort perception is underpinned by four major methods: software simulations, field tests, wind tunnel tests and questionnaire survey [6]. Questionnaire survey on people's feeling about wind speed is believed to provide accurate, comprehensive and cost-effective method.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The results of a questionnaire survey in Hong Kong [9] showed that participants were highly sensitive to V a fluctuations. In urban open spaces, it is widely known that recent drastic changes in the design of building density and configuration in cities influence V a profile [5,[10][11][12]. This modifies latent heat flux between human body and the surrounding environment and thereby affecting the thermal comfort conditions in open spaces between buildings.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Perception of Wind in Open Spaces

Shooshtarian

Rajagopalan

2019

Climate

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Dense urbanization influences the livability of cities. Changes in local meteorological conditions can be adverse for human health and well-being. In urban open spaces, it is widely known that changes in building density and configuration in cities influence wind speed (V a ). This influence modifies latent heat flux between the human body and surrounding environment and thereby affecting the thermal comfort conditions in open spaces between buildings. Several studies have demonstrated the significant effect of wind speed on outdoor thermal comfort. Melbourne's Central Business District (CBD) has recently experienced dense urbanization and this pattern of development has instigated noticeable changes in meteorological conditions. Some evidence has suggested that the patterns of wind flow induce thermal discomfort during cool seasons. Conversely, the wind is most welcomed during warm seasons. This study was conducted to assess outdoor users' responses to V a in three open spaces of an educational precinct in Melbourne's CBD. The open spaces studied are different in terms of design and function. Users' responses and meteorological conditions were examined through a series of field measurements and questionnaire surveys from November 2014 to May 2015. This study used three perceptual scales to analyze participants' experience of V a during field surveys: "Bedford preference", "thermal sensation" and "personal acceptability". Analytical results yielded the wind perceptual comfort thresholds for different seasons as well as the entire study period. The results suggested that in addition to the geometry of the urban open space, the function of place could influence people's perceptions of V a . The research findings contribute to developing thermally comfortable outdoor environments.Climate 2019, 7, 106 2 of 17 the factors that significantly influence people's thermal comfort, wind speed (V a ) was found to play a key role in cities and particularly in densely built-up areas and between buildings [5,6].Research on wind comfort perception is underpinned by four major methods: software simulations, field tests, wind tunnel tests and questionnaire survey [6]. Questionnaire survey on people's feeling about wind speed is believed to provide accurate, comprehensive and cost-effective method. Since this method evaluates the impact of four parameters (T a , RH, V a, and T mrt ) it is possible to gain an insight into the impact of V a in comparison with the other three parameters. Several studies have demonstrated the significant effect of V a on outdoor thermal comfort [7][8][9]. For instance, the study by Walton, Dravitzki and Donn [7] revealed that gustiness and V a were the most significant factors in shaping outdoor thermal satisfaction. The results of a questionnaire survey in Hong Kong [9] showed that participants were highly sensitive to V a fluctuations. In urban open spaces, it is widely known that recent drastic changes in the design of building density and configuration in cities influence V a profile [5,[10][11][1...

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Outdoor human thermal perception in various climates: A comprehensive review of approaches, methods and quantification

Cited by 390 publications

References 124 publications

Investigating the Behaviour of Human Thermal Indices under Divergent Atmospheric Conditions: A Sensitivity Analysis Approach

Investigating the Behaviour of Human Thermal Indices under Divergent Atmospheric Conditions: A Sensitivity Analysis Approach

Assessment of the Outdoor Thermal Comfort in Oases Settlements

Perception of Wind in Open Spaces

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