Abstract
A thermal stress index of a geographic location over a period of time can provide knowledge of overall climate perceptible to the general public. Out of the three approaches to assessing thermal comfort namely, rational, empirical and direct, the direct approach is being used in the present study because of easy availability of all inputs and reasonable comprehension of the assessments. Assessment and ranking of cities using this approach based on the percentage of comfortable hours alone may however be erroneous and misleading as this approach does not consider the percentages of uncomfortable classes which could often be substantially high. The modified approach for thermal comfort classification demonstrates cumulative representation of all classes of thermal comfort including uncomfortablity and provides relative ranking of cities. Analysis of the results is presented here for five megacities (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad) representing varying geographical and climatic locations of India. These cities are ranked based on the routine and modified approaches and results are discussed in detail on monthly, seasonal and annual average basis. When the cities are compared only on the basis of comfortable hours, the decreasing order of comfortability is Hyderabad, Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai. However, considering the second methodology, it is revealed that the contribution of uncomfortable hours is greater in Kolkata and Chennai in comparison to Mumbai. The proposed methodology could be an improvement over the current practices and provides a more rational method for relative ranking of cities that could be used for tourism and energy demands.
Highlights
The response of human skin to ambient temperature depends on many meteorological parameters other than temperature alone [1]
The present study aims to estimate Comfort Index for a period of five years (January 2004-December 2008) in five megacities of India i.e. Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Chennai
When the cities are compared only on the basis of comfortable hours according to methodology 1 the decreasing order of Comfortability is Hyderabad, Kolkata, ACS
Summary
The response of human skin to ambient temperature depends on many meteorological parameters other than temperature alone [1]. Ent bioclimatic indices have been proposed to integrate the effect of environment on the human thermal comfort These indices can be categorized into three different groups viz. Rational indices are based on heat balance equation of the human body which accounts for the environmental variables such as ambient temperature, radiation temperature, humidity and air movement as well as metabolic processes and clothing insulation for human body. Most commonly used such recent indices are physiological equivalent temperature (PET) [5] and Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) [6]. Empirical indices are based on objective and subjective strain re OPEN ACCESS
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
