Investigation of Outdoor Thermal Comfort for Campus Pedestrian Walkways in Thailand

Naphat Suwanmanee, Nopadon Kronprasert (), Chomphunut Sutheerakul, Kriangkrai Arunotayanun and Damrongsak Rinchumphu
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Naphat Suwanmanee: Excellence Center in Infrastructure Technology and Transportation Engineering (ExCITE), Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Nopadon Kronprasert: Excellence Center in Infrastructure Technology and Transportation Engineering (ExCITE), Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Chomphunut Sutheerakul: Excellence Center in Infrastructure Technology and Transportation Engineering (ExCITE), Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Kriangkrai Arunotayanun: Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Damrongsak Rinchumphu: Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 2, 1-17

Abstract: Thermal comfort is an important subject to evaluate the quality of outdoor environments. This study investigated outdoor thermal conditions and the thermal comfort perception of pedestrians using walkways within a university campus in Thailand, located in the hot and humid tropical region. In this field study, microclimate measurements were conducted to assess the physiological equivalent temperature (PET) of walkways, and on-site questionnaire surveys ( n = 400) were used to evaluate the thermal sensation votes of pedestrians in different walkway conditions. The results revealed that the neutral PET was 25.2 °C and its acceptable range was 24.6–32.0 °C. Most pedestrians accept the thermal conditions of all walkway types but at different levels of acceptability, albeit in a slightly warm sensation. Among different walkway types, the cantilever-covered walkway with sparse trees yields the closest PET to the neutral PET. The most comfortable and favorable walkway is that with a lower air temperature, less sunlight, and higher wind ventilation. The studies on the outdoor thermal comfort of pedestrian walkways could benefit urban planners and engineers in designing physical and environmental conditions of walkways as well as promoting non-motorized transport and green university campuses.

Keywords: pedestrian comfort; outdoor thermal comfort; physiological equivalent temperature; walkway; green university (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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