The influence of shading facilities on outdoor thermal comfort, pedestrian walking speed, and indoor satisfaction.

Abstract

As urban development increases, the use of air conditioning, industrial activities, and transportation makes human heat a major contributor to the Urban Heat Island Effect (UHI). Common strategies to mitigate UHI include expanding water areas and green spaces, designing effective ventilation systems, and promoting energy-efficient buildings. In addition, shade structures have become a widely used thermal adaptation measure in outdoor environments. In this study, we investigated the walking speed and thermal comfort of pedestrians during the transition from outdoor to air-conditioned indoor spaces and categorized the influencing factors into three main dimensions: physical environment, physiological dimension, and psychological response. The analysis was conducted by means of a scale survey and observation. The results of the study present several key points. First, shading in outdoor environments slowed down walking speed by 4% in summer, with a decrease in walking speed of 1.1 m/s for every 1 °C decrease in Tmrt (mean radiation temperature). Second, men generally walked faster than women under different shading conditions. At the 95% confidence level, T-tests showed that shading had a significant effect on both genders (p < 0.05), with a more pronounced difference in walking speed for males. Finally, the Thermal Comfort Vote (TCV) remained in the neutral to satisfactory range when walking in shaded outdoor areas. In addition, switching to an air-conditioned space after staying in a shaded outdoor area increased comfort. In contrast, to achieve a similar level of comfort indoors after a stay in an unshaded area, the air conditioner needed to be set at a temperature 0.75 °C lower than the original temperature. These results emphasize the important role of shading in improving thermal comfort and its potential to reduce building energy consumption.