Experimental Determination of Pedestrian Thermal Comfort on Water-Retaining Pavement for UHI Adaptation Strategy

Artificial impervious surfaces are one of the most significant factors contributing to urban heat islands (UHIs). Adapting UHIs is a challenge in achieving thermal comfort. We conducted quantitative and subjective evaluation closely paved novel water-retaining pavement (WR) conventional dense-asphalt (AS). investigated states humans based on human energy balance known as “human load” an indicator for assessment, original load method was improved assessing nonuniform environments such pavements. looked individual perceptions simultaneously. The experiment typical summer weather. surface temperature WR found be significantly lower, by 9.5 °C, while air humidity above both pavements were not different. Thus, conditions did directly affect sensible latent loss. reflected solar radiation larger, infrared smaller than AS due lower from water evaporation higher reflectance. Further, at pedestrian level 1.5 m different: 237 W/m2 215 WR. In evaluation, tend distributed load, thereby resulting cooler comfortable sensation. Therefore, we demonstrated that when compared AS, improves