A Review of methodologies for analyzing thermal comfort in urban pedestrian pathways

Abstract

According to the ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55, thermal comfort is a subjective evaluation of thermal environment satisfaction. Therefore, the most challenging issue about thermal comfort is the assessment by subjective evaluation and addressing the case as a mental condition. Hence, The primary goal of the study is to determine which of the well-known thermal comfort indices is most suited for studying urban pedestrian movement. The present research method is based on the study of a wide range of research related to climatic comfort on the scale of urban space. The research has a review character and is set to analyze the different indices comparatively. In the analytical approach, the most significant factors which are compared are 1- PMV (predicted mean vote), 2- P4SR (four-hour predicted transpiration index), 3- HSI (heat stress index), 4- SET (standard effective temperature), 5- E.T.* (new effective temperature), 6- PPD (predicted percentage of dissatisfied) and 7- PET (Physiological Equivalent Temperature). The results show each component's advantages and disadvantages in analyzing thermal comfort in urban pedestrian pathways. The findings also underscored the importance of incorporating mixed methodologies to assist designers in making more accurate selections during urban planning. The most difficult issues that should be reconsidered in order to gain a better understanding of thermal comfort as an "adaptive" issue in urban pedestrian pathways are 1- Resetting the reference temperatures, 2- Readdressing the equations for upper and lower limits, 3- Providing more comprehensive databases (age, weight, gender, and thermal history), and 4- Reprogramming the acceptable temperature ranges based on individual expectations. Controls, layout, airflow, and humidity, among other design considerations, would be better emphasized by urban designers.