Wind Sensation Research Articles

Microclimatic perception and preference among market vendors in Jakarta, Indonesia

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) call for liveable, sustainable cities and decent jobs. The lack of attention to outdoor space design has a significant impact on the livability of the urban outdoor environment. As tropical areas have experienced a one-degree Celsius increase in the last four decades, working outdoors can become unbearably distressing due to thermal discomfort. This study links SDGs 11 and 8 by focusing on thermal comfort and heat exposure among outdoor informal workers —the street vendors working in outdoor markets. The cohorts in our study are vulnerable to extreme heat due to their working conditions, and the informality of their work presents additional susceptibility to severe heat exposure due to the lack of physical and social protection. We conducted a cross-sectional survey to measure microclimatic perceptions, such as Thermal Sensation Vote (TSV) and preference, Humidity Sensation Vote (HSV) and preference, Wind Sensation Vote (WSV) and preference, Sun Sensation Vote (SSV), and preference, as well as overall comfort vote (OCV). The results are useful in providing a preliminary illustration of Jakarta’s microclimatic perceptions and thermal comfort from the perspective of vulnerable populations. We then discuss the impacts of thermal comfort on the city’s liveability.

Pseudo-Wind Perception Induced by Cross-Modal Reproduction of Thermal, Vibrotactile, Visual, and Auditory Stimuli

Numerous wind displays have been developed to provide wind sensation in virtual reality applications. However, in previous studies, wind displays required the production of physical wind using a wind source. To release cold or hot wind, previous wind displays required large equipment for making the air temperature changes. In this study, we propose to induce pseudo-wind perception, perceiving wind even in the absence of physical wind, using visuo-audio-haptic cross-modal effects. We provide audio-visual stimuli with a head-mounted display and headphones, and vibrotactile and thermal stimuli to the skin using belt-type devices, instead of physical wind. We found that vibrotactile and thermal stimuli based on the measurement of skin displacement and temperature exposed to the wind are suitable for the tactile sensation of wind. We also found that thermal and audio-visual stimuli can induce wind sensation of cold wind, and that vibro-thermal stimuli in addition to audio-visual stimuli are effective for the wind sensation and realness of the experience of hot wind. In future, inducing variable types of wind sensations will be pursued as a research direction regarding pseudo-wind perception.

Correlation Analysis of Thermal Comfort and Landscape Characteristics: A Case Study of the Coastal Greenway in Qingdao, China

With the acceleration of urbanization throughout the world, climate problems related to climate change including urban heat islands and global warming have become challenges to urban human settlements. Numerous studies have shown that greenways are beneficial to urban climate improvement and can provide leisure places for people. Taking the coastal greenway in Qingdao as the research object, mobile measurements of the microclimate of the greenway were conducted in order to put forward an evaluation method for the research of outdoor thermal comfort. The results showed that different vegetation coverage affected the PET (physiologically equivalent temperature), UTCI (Universal Thermal Climate Index) as well as thermal comfort voting. We found no significant correlation between activities, age, gender, and thermal comfort voting. Air temperature sensation and solar radiation sensation were the primary factors affecting the thermal comfort voting of all sections. Otherwise, within some sections, wind sensation and humidity sensation were correlated with thermal sensation voting and thermal comfort voting, respectively. Both PET and UTCI were found to have a negative correlation with the vegetation coverage on both sides of the greenway. However, the vegetation coverage had positive correlation (R = 0.072) for thermal sensation and significant positive correlation (R = 0.077*) for thermal comfort. The paved area cover was found to have a positive correlation with PET and UTCI, while having a negative correlation with thermal sensation (R = −0.049) and thermal comfort (R = −0.041). This study can provide scientific recommendations for the planning and design of greenway landscapes to improve thermal comfort.

Outdoor Wind Comfort and Adaptation in a Cold Region

The outdoor wind comfort is important for evaluations of the urban wind environment. The existing wind comfort criteria are based on the correlations between wind parameters, human activity levels, and wind comfort level categories. These criteria vary among different climates and regions, and they are influenced by meteorological parameters and human wind adaptation. In this study, an outdoor wind comfort questionnaire survey was conducted and meteorological measurements were collected in Xi’an, which is located in the cold region of China. The square and lake side were chosen as the test sites. The mean wind sensation vote (MWSV) and wind speed of neutral wind sensation were used as indexes to analyze the correlation between outdoor wind comfort and human wind adaptation. The results showed that the wind sensation level was generally moderate. At −1 < MWSV < 1, the fluctuations in the wind speed had little effect on the wind sensation, but when MWSV > 1 or MWSV < −1, the degree of discomfort increased as the absolute value of MWSV increased. When the wind speed exceeded 1 m/s, the amount of clothing insulation was greatly increased. The metabolic rate fluctuated between 1.5 met and 2 met. Expectations that the wind speed in the winter would be less than 1.05 m/s were greater than expectations that the wind speed would be more than 1.05 m/s in the summer, and people generally adapted to a low wind environment with wind speeds below 1 m/s. The acceptable wind ranges for more than 90% of participants at the square and lake side were (0 m/s, 2.02 m/s) and (0.01 m/s, 2.86 m/s). This study provides support for the revision of outdoor wind comfort standards and a methodological basis for outdoor wind comfort research at the same latitude throughout the world.

Effects of short-term physiological and psychological adaptation on summer thermal comfort of outdoor exercising people in China

Internal migration from rural to urban areas is prevalent in China. Past studies demonstrated that thermal adaptation differed among people from various climate regions. However, the outdoor thermal comfort of exercising people with a diverse climatic background remains largely unexplored. This study examines the relationship between short-term physiological and psychological thermal adaptation and outdoor thermal comfort of exercising people from different climate zones in China. We recruited first-year students (n = 145) who engaged in outdoor training between 3 and September 14, 2018 in Guangzhou, China. Physiological parameters include heart rate (HR) from fitness trackers and skin temperature (Tskin) from iButtons. These students were surveyed regarding their thermal comfort and psychological state over the study period (n = 968). Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) was calculated from weather station data at the training sites. T-tests reveal differences in HR and thermal perception between local and non-local students, but not Tskin. Under similar PET conditions, non-local students reported a higher thermal sensation and greater thermal discomfort than local students during the first week of training. Logistic regression indicates that HR and metabolic rate predict the thermal sensation of non-local students, but not local students. Wind sensation, pleasantness level, fatigue, and perceived suitability for outdoor activities are significant predictors of local and non-local students' thermal comfort. Our research highlights both physiological and psychological factors (including emotion and fatigue) are necessary to understand acclimatized and non-acclimatized people's thermal perception. Addressing thermal discomfort at an early stage can prevent more severe heat-related illnesses.

Influence of acclimatization and short-term thermal history on outdoor thermal comfort in subtropical South China

Internal migration across different climate zones in China has increased as people seek better economic and education opportunities. Past indoor studies revealed the difference in thermal comfort and timescale of acclimatization of people from various climate zones. However, it is unclear whether the same results and mechanisms apply to transient outdoor conditions. To examine the thermal comfort of Chinese people with a diverse climatic background, we conducted an outdoor thermal comfort survey in Guangzhou and Zhuhai (n = 4267) in September 2018. We investigated the influence of long-term acclimatization and short-term thermal history on outdoor thermal comfort. When UTCI was 27.5–38.4 °C, the local respondents reported a lower thermal sensation than other climate zones. When relative humidity was 45–95%, there was a different humidity sensation and preference. Wind sensation was similar for different climate zones. One year of staying in Guangzhou/Zhuhai could diminish the difference in thermal and humidity sensation between climate zones. Furthermore, exposure environment and activity before the survey could modify this difference in outdoor thermal comfort between climate zones. Considering both long-term and short-term thermal history would improve outdoor thermal comfort forecast and meet the thermal comfort requirement of people with a diverse climatic background.

Exploring Non-conventional Sensorimotor Devices in a Virtual Bicycle Simulator

This work presents SimBike, a virtual bicycle simulator that uses non-conventional motor, sensory and sensorimotor devices to provide greater user involvement and comfort. SimBike aims to recreate the activity of riding a bicycle by exploring possibilities of electronic devices, such as making curves with the handlebar or body-weight, pedaling, braking, among others. It also offers feedback commonly expected by the rider, such as wind sensation varying according to speed and the sensation of trepidation on uneven terrain. The simulator was evaluated with 16 users, obtaining positive results regarding user experience, comfort, and immersion. As future work, we propose to improve some features to adapt the simulator for all users, regardless of their weight and height.

Mulsemedia DIY: A Survey of Devices and a Tutorial for Building Your Own Mulsemedia Environment

Multisensory experiences have been increasingly applied in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). In recent years, it is commonplace to notice the development of haptic, olfactory, and even gustatory displays to create more immersive experiences. Companies are proposing new additions to the multisensory world and are unveiling new products that promise to offer amazing experiences exploiting mulsemedia—multiple sensorial media—where users can perceive odors, tastes, and the sensation of wind blowing against their face. Whilst researchers, practitioners and users alike are faced with a wide range of such new devices, relatively little work has been undertaken to summarize efforts and initiatives in this area. The current article addresses this shortcoming in two ways: first, by presenting a survey of devices targeting senses beyond that of sight and hearing and, second, by describing an approach to guide newcomers and experienced practitioners alike to build their own mulsemedia environment, both in a desktop setting and in an immersive 360° environment.

Effects of windward and leeward wind directions on outdoor thermal and wind sensation in Tehran

This study aims to investigate the effect of wind direction (WD) on thermal and wind sensations, reconsider WS benchmarks, and propose modifications on physiological equivalent temperature (PET) and universal thermal climate index (UTCI) indices to reflect the effects of WD. A total of 1008 interviews were conducted outdoors with concurrent micrometeorological measurements in Tehran, Iran, comparing the preferred, neutral, neutral range, and acceptable ranges of UTCI and PET for subjects exposed to leeward and windward wind directions. The results indicated a deviation of 4.6 °C in neutral PET (nPET) and 4 °C in neutral UTCI (nUTCI) between windward and leeward wind directions. Additionally, the results showed that the subjects undergoing leeward wind direction revealed lower sensitivity to wind speed (WS), PET, and UTCI variations, and showed lower neutral and preferred temperatures/WS, and felt thermally acceptable in a wider gap. The results also disclosed that conducting the surveys neglecting the effects of WD may lead to a complete misunderstanding of the climate. Also, the empirical WS benchmarks were determined using techniques regularly used for thermal analysis. These benchmarks were specified separately for windward and leeward wind directions, knowledge of which may be useful in the planning and design of outdoor environments.

8-14 風および温度感覚を用いた物体提示(第8部門 メディア工学3)

8-14 風および温度感覚を用いた物体提示(第8部門 メディア工学3)

A stimulus generating system for studying wind sensation in the American cockroach

A novel system for the generation and measurement of a two dimensional wind stimulus is proposed and described. This system was used to investigate the wind sensation of the American cockroach. The new aspects of this system are (a) a pair of computer driven wind tunnels that are shown to produce non-turbulent flows and (b) a novel fiber optic wind detector that measures both amplitude and direction of the wind. Winds can be produced and measured in behaviorally relevant frequency and amplitude ranges without perturbing the airflow. The combination of both the wind generation system and wind detector makes the system very flexible and allows the generation of stimuli with any given spectrum. The two dimensional wind stimulus is shown to be very reproducible. The wind detector is independent of the wind generation system so it can be used for measuring natural winds as well. Experimental data obtained on the cockroach are presented.

Usage of multisensory information in scientific data sensualization

Multisensory scientific data sensualization methods that utilize virtual reality technology permit the use of several human sensations, such as visual, acoustic, and tactile sensation to display numerical data. The purposes of multisensory data sensualization can be classified as follows: (a) representing the relationships between different kinds of data; (b) displaying data utilizing sensory integration: and (c) representing conditions using the compound image By using multisensory information, computers increase the ability to express data. However, these methods lead us to the question of which sensation should be used to display data most effectively. In this study, a multisensory data sensualization environment was developed in which color, loudness, sound frequency, and air flow pressure could be used to display scientific data. In particular, a wind sensation dislplay prototype using air flow pressure was developed to generate tactile sensation. A basic experiment was conducted on sensory interference when subjects used two kinds of sensations simultaneously. From these results, guidelines for the usage of multisensory information for each purpose is proposed.

Effect of Multisensory Integration for Scientific Data Sensualization

In scientific computing, developing effective methods to display complex phenomena represented by numerical data is a key issue. In this study, virtual reality technology is applied to develop a multisensory data sensualization environment in which the user can use visual, acoustic, and touch sensations to understand scientific data. In particular, a prototype wind sensation display system was developed to generate touch sensation. In the multisensory data sensualization method, accurate and efficient transmission of data from the computer to the user is expected through the effective integration of several sensations. We conducted several experiments on the perception of scalar data and vector data in three dimensional space, using multisensory data sensualization methods, and verified their effectiveness in providing the user correct perceptions of data.

Effect of Multisensory Integration for Scientific Data Sensualization.

In scientific computing, developing effective methods to display complex phenomena represented by numerical data is a key issue. In this study, virtual reality technology is applied to develop a multisensory data sensualization environment in which the user can use visual, acoustic, and touch sensations to understand scientific data. In particular, a prototype wind sensation display system was developed to generate touch sensation. In the multisensory data sensualization method, accurate and efficient transmission of data from the computer to the user is expected through the effective integration of several sensations. We conducted several experiments on the perception of scalar data and vector data in three-dimensional space, using multisensory data sensualization methods, and verified their effectiveness in providing the user correct perceptions of data.

Sensory and motor responses to rectal distention vary according to rate and pattern of balloon inflation

Anorectal motor activity and rectal sensation were recorded in 12 normal male subjects during ramp distention of the rectum with water and air at randomized rates of 10, 20, 50, and 100 mL/min and during intermittent rapid distention with air. There were no significant differences between the results of ramp inflation with water or with air, and the repeated infusion of the same medium yielded reproducible results. Ramp distention induced sigmoid pressure-volume profiles. Different sensations occurred at specific points on the pressure-volume curve and were maintained until succeeded by the next sensation. Initial perception of the distention occurred during the initial steep pressure increase, the sensation of wind occurred during the plateau phase, and the desire to defecate occurred at the onset of the final rapid ascent. Rectal sensations were induced at lower volumes at low infusion rates when the slope of the pressure-volume relationship was shallower than at high infusion rates. This suggests that the receptor triggering rectal sensation is not a simple volume or pressure receptor, but is more likely to be a slowly adapting mechanoreceptor lying parallel to the circular muscle of the rectal wall. During rapid intermittent distention, the rectal volumes required to elicit rectal sensations were lower than during ramp distention, although the pressure-volume curve was steeper. Moreover, sensations often only lasted a short period of time but recurred on deflation. These data suggest activation of an additional population of rapidly adapting or high threshold mechanoreceptors. Anal relaxation was always evoked by intermittent rectal distention and was almost always associated with a rectal sensation and an increase in external anal sphincter activity. In contrast, anal relaxation could be absent or delayed during ramp inflation, especially at lower infusion rates, suggesting that internal sphincter can maintain continence for a long period of time while the rectum is slowly filling. Rectal sensation and concomitant external anal sphincter activity was not associated with anal relaxation during ramp inflation; most subjects felt the sensation long after the pressure reached its lowest level. However, under all circumstances the onset of rectal sensation was associated with an increase of external anal sphincter electrical activity. In conclusion, the rectal sensory and anorectal motor responses to distention depend on the rate and pattern of distention, which may activate a different population of receptors. Results from different laboratories cannot be compared directly unless the pattern and rate of distention are the same.