scholarly journals On the Spatial Patterns of Urban Thermal Conditions Using Indoor and Outdoor Temperatures

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 640
Author(s):  
Sadroddin Alavipanah ◽  
Dagmar Haase ◽  
Mohsen Makki ◽  
Mir Muhammad Nizamani ◽  
Salman Qureshi

The changing climate has introduced new and unique challenges and threats to humans and their environment. Urban dwellers in particular have suffered from increased levels of heat stress, and the situation is predicted to continue to worsen in the future. Attention toward urban climate change adaptation has increased more than ever before, but previous studies have focused on indoor and outdoor temperature patterns separately. The objective of this research is to assess the indoor and outdoor temperature patterns of different urban settlements. Remote sensing data, together with air temperature data collected with temperature data loggers, were used to analyze land surface temperature (outdoor temperature) and air temperature (indoor temperature). A hot and cold spot analysis was performed to identify the statistically significant clusters of high and low temperature data. The results showed a distinct temperature pattern across different residential units. Districts with dense urban settlements show a warmer outdoor temperature than do more sparsely developed districts. Dense urban settlements show cooler indoor temperatures during the day and night, while newly built districts show cooler outdoor temperatures during the warm season. Understanding indoor and outdoor temperature patterns simultaneously could help to better identify districts that are vulnerable to heat stress in each city. Recognizing vulnerable districts could minimize the impact of heat stress on inhabitants.

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 987-1005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahla Ghaffari Jabbari ◽  
Aida Maleki ◽  
Mohammad Ali Kaynezhad ◽  
Bjarne W. Olesen

The study was conducted to investigate thermal adaptation and the impact of individual differences on developing thermal tolerance when the outdoor temperature falls below 10°C. The applicability of the predicted mean vote (PMV) model was investigated, too. The concept of occupant’s ‘Temperament’ was evaluated as a psychological-adaptation factor. Two main hypotheses were: (a) people with different temperaments would experience different thermal sensations and (b) the classic PMV- predicted percentage dissatisfied (PPD) model is capable of predicting the neutral sensation in heated buildings under cold outdoor temperatures. There was a direct relationship between individual temperament and clothing level as well as thermal sensation. The occupants who were assessed to have cold temperament tend to wear thicker clothes and were more sensitive to variations in indoor air temperature than others. Females with a cold temperament were more than twice as likely to be affected by indoor air temperature as those with a warm temperament. The PMV-PPD model was able to predict the mean neutral temperature in the heated buildings even when the outdoor temperature fell below 10°C. However, when occupants were able to control high indoor temperature, the percentage of true prediction of actual mean votes by the adaptive thermal heat balance model was more than that by the classic PMV model.


Author(s):  
Josh Foster ◽  
James W. Smallcombe ◽  
Simon Hodder ◽  
Ollie Jay ◽  
Andreas D. Flouris ◽  
...  

AbstractHeat stress decreases human physical work capacity (PWC), but the extent to which solar radiation (SOLAR) compounds this response is not well understood. This study empirically quantified how SOLAR impacts PWC in the heat, considering wide, but controlled, variations in air temperature, humidity, and clothing coverage. We also provide correction equations so PWC can be quantified outdoors using heat stress indices that do not ordinarily account for SOLAR (including the Heat Stress Index, Humidex, and Wet-Bulb Temperature). Fourteen young adult males (7 donning a work coverall, 7 with shorts and trainers) walked for 1 h at a fixed heart rate of 130 beats∙min−1, in seven combinations of air temperature (25 to 45°C) and relative humidity (20 or 80%), with and without SOLAR (800 W/m2 from solar lamps). Cumulative energy expenditure in the heat, relative to the work achieved in a cool reference condition, was used to determine PWC%. Skin temperature was the primary determinant of PWC in the heat. In dry climates with exposed skin (0.3 Clo), SOLAR caused PWC to decrease exponentially with rising air temperature, whereas work coveralls (0.9 Clo) negated this effect. In humid conditions, the SOLAR-induced reduction in PWC was consistent and linear across all levels of air temperature and clothing conditions. Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature and the Universal Thermal Climate Index represented SOLAR correctly and did not require a correction factor. For the Heat Stress Index, Humidex, and Wet-Bulb Temperature, correction factors are provided enabling forecasting of heat effects on work productivity.


Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim van der Schriek ◽  
Konstantinos V. Varotsos ◽  
Christos Giannakopoulos ◽  
Dimitra Founda

This is the first study to look at future temporal urban heath island (UHI) trends of Athens (Greece) under different UHI intensity regimes. Historical changes in the Athens UHI, spanning 1971–2016, were assessed by contrasting two air temperature records from stable meteorological stations in contrasting urban and rural settings. Subsequently, we used a five-member regional climate model (RCM) sub-ensemble from EURO-CORDEX with a horizontal resolution of 0.11° (~12 × 12 km) to simulate air temperature data, spanning the period 1976–2100, for the two station sites. Three future emissions scenarios (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5) were implanted in the simulations after 2005 covering the period 2006–2100. Two 20-year historical reference periods (1976–1995 and 1996–2015) were selected with contrasting UHI regimes; the second period had a stronger intensity. The daily maximum and minimum air temperature data (Tmax and Tmin) for the two reference periods were perturbed to two future periods, 2046–2065 and 2076–2095, under the three RCPs, by applying the empirical quantile mapping (eqm) bias-adjusting method. This novel approach allows us to assess future temperature developments in Athens under two UHI intensity regimes that are mainly forced by differences in air pollution and heat input. We found that the future frequency of days with Tmax > 37 °C in Athens was only different from rural background values under the intense UHI regime. Thus, the impact of heatwaves on the urban environment of Athens is dependent on UHI intensity. There is a large increase in the future frequency of nights with Tmin > 26 °C in Athens under all UHI regimes and climate scenarios; these events remain comparatively rare at the rural site. This large urban amplification of the frequency of extremely hot nights is likely caused by air pollution. Consequently, local mitigation policies aimed at decreasing urban atmospheric pollution are expected to be highly effective in reducing urban temperatures and extreme heat events in Athens under future climate change scenarios. Such policies directly have multiple benefits, including reduced electricity (energy) needs, improved living quality and strong health advantages (heat- and pollution-related illness/deaths).


Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (13) ◽  
pp. 3792
Author(s):  
Raúl Parada ◽  
Sergio Rueda-Teruel ◽  
Carlos Monzo

Astrophysical observatories (AOs) are used to acquire high-quality images from the sky. However, AOs are amenable to distortion phenomena such as seeing. In this paper, we consider specifically the local seeing produced from indoor and outdoor temperature variations. Local seeing contributes to the captured image quality, therefore it must be measured. Local seeing has been considered, to the best of our knowledge, in observatories using ad hoc solutions, typically with high cost and complexity. This paper presents the complete development of an autonomous wireless sensor network (WSN) composed of temperature-measuring for real-time local seeing measurement. Therefore, a WSN is deployed using Zigbee as a data communication exchange. As a result, a long continuous-operating system is constructed and tested in a real AO infrastructure. Finally, we calculate a preliminary dome local seeing, from the acquired temperature data, achieving reasonable results.


2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans J. De Boeck ◽  
Helena Van De Velde ◽  
Toon De Groote ◽  
Ivan Nijs

Abstract. Climate change models project an important increase in the frequency and intensity of heat waves. In gauging the impact on plant responses, much of the focus has been on air temperatures while a critical analysis of leaf temperatures during heat extremes has not been made. Nevertheless, direct physiological consequences from heat depend primarily on leaf rather than on air temperatures. We discuss how the interplay between various environmental variables and the plants' stomatal response affects leaf temperatures and the potential for heat stress by making use of both an energy balance model and field data. The results demonstrate that this interplay between plants and environment can cause leaf temperatures fluctuations in excess of 10 °C (for narrow leaves) to even 20 °C (for big broad leaves) at the same air temperature. In general, leaves tended to heat up when radiation was high and when stomates were closed, as expected. But perhaps counterintuitively, also high air humidity raised leaf temperatures, while humid conditions are typically regarded as benign with respect to plant survival since they limit water loss. High wind speeds brought the leaf temperature closer to the air temperature, which can imply either cooling or warming (i.e. abating or reinforcing heat stress) depending on other prevailing conditions. The results thus indicate that heat waves characterized by similar extreme air temperatures may pose little danger under some atmospheric conditions, but could be lethal in other cases. The trends illustrated here should give ecologists and agronomists a more informed indication about which circumstances are most conductive for heat stress to occur.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merve Ahan ◽  
Andre Nouri

<p>Within the existing literature, it is well established that thermal comfort thresholds play an integral part in sleep quality. For this reason and within consolidated urban environments that are continually witnessing increased vulnerability to heat stress as a result of urban densification and climate change, impediments upon sleep quality due to excess physiological heat stress is a growing concern. Such risk factors are particularly the case for older traditional building methods that depend on natural ventilation.  </p><p>Focused upon the capital city of Ankara, and through the application and modification of the WMO’s Expert Team on Climate Change Detection Monitoring Indices (ETCCDMI) to determine the effects of sleep quality during different heat stress events, three different conditions were respectively examined, during a: (1) typical summer day; (2) very hot day; and lastly, (3) heat wave event. Within this case study, the relationship between the indoor thermal thresholds and sleep quality shall be undertaken through the use of: (i) the Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) calculated from climatic variables retrieved from the residential units at a 10 minute temporal resolution; (ii) questionnaires to acquire qualitative responses from local residents; and, (iii) local urban climatic data, retrieved from Ankara’s meteorological station (#17130) at an hourly temporal resolution.  </p><p>The outputs of the study address the growing need to identify and address the impact that urban augmenting temperatures have upon the sleep quality of occupants in more vulnerable construction typologies. Given that such vulnerabilities in urban settings are continually observing more frequent and intense heatwaves and hot days, the study highlights the need to strengthen the understanding between such outdoor events and sleep quality patterns in warming urban frameworks. </p>


2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisette Klok ◽  
Niek Rood ◽  
Jeroen Kluck ◽  
Laura Kleerekoper

Abstract Since it is insufficiently clear to urban planners in the Netherlands to what extent design measures can reduce heat stress and which urban spaces are most comfortable, this study evaluates the impact of shading, urban water, and urban green on the thermal comfort of urban spaces during hot summer afternoons. The methods used include field surveys, meteorological measurements, and assessment of the PET (physiological equivalent temperature). In total, 21 locations in Amsterdam (shaded and sunny locations in parks, streets, squares, and near water bodies) were investigated. Measurements show a reduction in PET of 12 to 22 °C in spaces shaded by trees and buildings compared to sunlit areas, while water bodies and grass reduce the PET up to 4 °C maximum compared to impervious areas. Differences in air temperature between the locations are generally small and it is concluded that shading, water and grass reduce the air temperature by roughly 1 °C. The surveys (n = 1928) indicate that especially shaded areas are perceived cooler and more comfortable than sunlit locations, whereas urban spaces near water or green spaces (grass) were not perceived as cooler or thermally more comfortable. The results of this study highlight the importance of shading in urban design to reduce heat stress. The paper also discusses the differences between meteorological observations and field surveys for planning and designing cool and comfortable urban spaces. Meteorological measurements provide measurable quantities which are especially useful for setting or meeting target values or guidelines in reducing urban heat in practice.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 755-762 ◽  
Author(s):  
Urša Ciuha ◽  
Tjaša Pogačar ◽  
Lučka Kajfež Bogataj ◽  
Mitja Gliha ◽  
Lars Nybo ◽  
...  

Abstract Occupational heat strain is a public health threat, and for outdoor industries there is a direct influence from elevated environmental temperatures during heat waves. However, the impact in indoor settings is more complex as industrial heat production and building architecture become factors of importance. Therefore, this study evaluated effects of heat waves on manufacturing productivity. Production halls in a manufacturing company were instrumented with 33 dataloggers to track air temperature and humidity. In addition, outdoor thermal conditions collected from a weather station next to the factory and daily productivity evaluated as overall equipment efficiency (OEE) were obtained, with interaction between productivity and thermal conditions analyzed before, during, and after four documented heat waves (average daily air temperature above 24°C on at least three consecutive days). Outdoor (before: 21.3° ± 4.6°C, during: 25.5° ± 4.3°C, and after: 19.8° ± 3.8°C) and indoor air temperatures (before: 30.4° ± 1.3°C, during: 32.8° ± 1.4°C, and after: 30.1° ± 1.4°C) were significantly elevated during the heat waves (p < 0.05). OEE was not different during the heat waves when compared with control, pre-heat-wave, and post-heat-wave OEE. Reduced OEE was observed in 3-day periods following the second and fourth heat wave (p < 0.05). Indoor workers in settings with high industrial heat production are exposed to a significant thermal stress that may increase during heat waves, but the impact on productivity cannot be directly derived from outdoor factors. The significant decline in productivity immediately following two of the documented heat waves could relate to a cumulative effect of the thermal strain experienced during work combined with high heat stress in the recovery time between work shifts.


2018 ◽  
Vol 178 ◽  
pp. 183-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Leen Verdonck ◽  
Matthias Demuzere ◽  
Hans Hooyberghs ◽  
Christoph Beck ◽  
Josef Cyrys ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (20) ◽  
pp. 5821-5825 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans J. De Boeck ◽  
Helena Van De Velde ◽  
Toon De Groote ◽  
Ivan Nijs

Abstract. Climate models project an important increase in the frequency and intensity of heat waves. In gauging the impact on plant responses, much of the focus has been on air temperatures, while a critical analysis of leaf temperatures during heat extremes has not been conducted. Nevertheless, direct physiological consequences from heat depend primarily on leaf rather than on air temperatures. We discuss how the interplay between various environmental variables and the plants' stomatal response affects leaf temperatures and the potential for heat stress by making use of both an energy balance model and field data. The results demonstrate that this interplay between plants and environment can cause leaf temperature to vary substantially at the same air temperature. In general, leaves tended to heat up when radiation was high and when stomates were closed, as expected. But perhaps counterintuitively, high air humidity also raised leaf temperatures, while humid conditions are typically regarded as benign with respect to plant survival since they limit water loss. High wind speeds brought the leaf temperature closer to the air temperature, which can imply either cooling or warming (i.e. abating or reinforcing heat stress) depending on other prevailing conditions. The results thus indicate that heat waves characterized by similar extreme air temperatures may pose little danger under some atmospheric conditions but could be lethal in other cases. The trends illustrated here should give ecologists and agronomists a more informed indication about which circumstances are most conducive to the occurrence of heat stress.


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