Abstract
Application of thermal indices has become very popular over the last three decades. It is mostly aimed at urban areas and is also used in weather forecasting, especially for heat health warning systems. Recent studies also show the relevance of thermal indices and their justification for thermal perception. Only twelve out of 165 indices of human thermal perception are classified to be principally suitable for the human biometeorological evaluation of climate for urban and regional planning: this requests that the thermal indices provide an equivalent air temperature of an isothermal reference with minor wind velocity. Furthermore, thermal indices must be traceable to complete human energy budget models consisting of both a controlled passive system (heat transfer between body and environment) and a controlling active system, which provides a positive feedback on temperature deviations from neutral conditions of the body core and skin as it is the case in nature. Seven out of the twelve indices are fully suitable, of which three overlap with the others. Accordingly, the following four indices were selected as appropriate: Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), Perceived Temperature (PTJ), Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET), and rational Standard Effective Temperature (SET*).
Highlights
Human biometeorology is concerned with contingency planning, protection of health, regional and urban planning, design of open spaces, various aspects of tourism and recreation areas, and research in climate change
This study shows a methodical framework for the selection of thermal indices for applications in human biometeorological studies, especially in weather forecasting and, above all, urban issues classifications and the quantification of open spaces or recreation areas
The methodical framework for the selection of thermal indices for applications in human biometeorological studies consists of seven steps (Figure 1)
Summary
Human biometeorology is concerned with contingency planning, protection of health, regional and urban planning, design of open spaces, various aspects of tourism and recreation areas, and research in climate change. It contributes to heat warnings and medical issues in weather forecasting. All these facets require a rational, thermo-physiologically consistent assessment of the human thermal environment. This is frequently accomplished by applying thermal indices. Several studies have been conducted in order to determine which index fits best and when the level of thermal neutrality and heat stress is reached and can be quantified in several climate regions [9]
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