ASSESSING THE INDICATORS OF OUTDOOR THERMAL COMFORT ON PEDESTRIAN BEHAVIOR IN THE URBAN STREETS

Abstract

Background:
Outdoor Thermal Comfort (OTC) plays a crucial role in shaping pedestrian behaviour, influencing outdoor activity, mobility choices, social interactions, and overall urban liveability. Although extensive research exists globally, gaps remain in how different countries prioritise physical, physiological, psychological, and behavioural indicators, particularly in developing contexts like India.
This study compares OTC indicators used in developed and developing countries to understand how these parameters affect pedestrian behaviour in urban streets. It also identifies gaps in current assessment frameworks and proposes context-specific behavioural approaches for Indian cities.
A systematic literature review was conducted on peer-reviewed studies from the past decade using Scopus and Google Scholar databases. Indicators were categorised into four criteria—Physical, Physiological, Psychological, and Behavioural—and assigned scores to analyse their frequency and relative importance across contexts. Comparative analysis was performed to evaluate indicator prioritisation and methodological patterns.
Physical indicators such as temperature, relative humidity, mean radiant temperature, solar radiation, wind velocity, height-to-width ratio, sky view factor, and thermal sensation vote dominate global OTC studies (≈90% usage) due to their measurability and modelling frameworks. Developed countries frequently incorporate behavioural and physiological factors, whereas developing countries—especially India—focus largely on basic climatic parameters. Psychological and behavioural indicators remain significantly underrepresented. Vegetation, shading, and water features consistently enhance pedestrian comfort across climates.
Current OTC research heavily favours physical indicators, limiting the understanding of human adaptation and behaviour in outdoor environments. Indian studies, in particular, lack behavioural and cultural considerations, reducing practical relevance for real-world pedestrian comfort planning.
The study highlights the need for balanced OTC frameworks that integrate perception-based, behavioural, and socio-cultural factors. It encourages researchers to move beyond climatic data toward holistic models that reflect how people actually interact with urban streets.
Urban planners and designers can improve street-level comfort by incorporating behavioural insights, such as clothing adaptation, activity patterns, and route choices. Strategies like shading, dense vegetation, reflective materials, and water elements can be more effectively designed when informed by local behaviour patterns.

Future research should extend to tier-2 and tier-3 Indian cities, employ wearable sensors, conduct behavioural mapping, and explore socio-economic influences on outdoor comfort. Developing region-specific behavioural indicators will support more inclusive and climate-responsive street design.