Abstract
The author introduces a new research framework in urban bio-meteorology, “Lagrangian Human Biometeorology: LHM”, in which variations of microclimates and physiological responses are traversed along human pathways using a unique wearable measurement system. The wearable measurement system acquires relevant thermal data such as ambient temperature, humidity, wind speed, and short/longwave radiation fluxes, along with some physio-psychological data such as skin temperature, pulse rate, subjective thermal sensation, and state of body motion. Wind speed and radiation components are measured using a globe anemo-radiometer, which is a suitable sensor for Lagrangian tracing. This measurement system was applied to outdoor experiments to assess thermal physiology along a subject’s pathway during 22-24 August, 2011. Every healthy Japanese adult subject wore a set of the instruments that recorded individual microclimate and physiological responses along the designated pedestrian route that traversed various urban textures. Subjects underwent various thermal environments that could not be evaluated using fix-point routine observations. The amount of sweating increased as the thermal load increased. Clear dependence of sweating on gender and body size was found. Skin temperature showed a linear relation with the thermal load. Clear dependence on gender and body size differences was found, reflecting differences in evaporative cooling by perspiration.
