Analyzing Thermal Comfort Sensations in Semi-Outdoor Space on a University Campus: On-Site Measurements in Tehran’s Hot and Cold Seasons

Abstract

Outdoor and semi-outdoor thermal comfort on the university campus is essential for encouraging students’ outdoor activities and interactions and reducing energy consumption in occupied buildings. For this reason, the current study presents on-site measurements and questionnaire surveys on a university campus in Tehran, Iran. It aims to investigate the most applicable thermal indices in Tehran’s cold and hot seasons. Measurements were conducted over winter and summer days; in addition, the survey collected 384 responses. The results confirm that the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) indices are better predictors of semi-outdoor thermal comfort in summer and winter than Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) and New Standard Effective Temperature (SET*), respectively, highlighting the importance of considering accurate thermal indices in different seasons. Finally, all analyses were gathered in a predictive empirical model, knowledge of which may be helpful in the planning and design of outdoor and semi-outdoor environments in Tehran and similar climates.