A new study from MIT shows, of course, that high heat and humidity encourage people to choose to drive for travelling on foot or transport.
As Christian Milneil explains in Streetsblog Mass, researchers calculate the effects of the “universal thermal climate index” (UTCI) and incorporate it into traditional thermal index measurements, such as wind speed and radiation temperature (depending on the amount of shade and heat absorbing material).
This index is more accurate than how people choose to travel based on perceived discomfort. As one researcher explained, “What that means is, if I’m walking down the street and my perceived temperature increases by one degree, the block would feel like a long walk, 81 meters longer.”
The results will affect policy makers and planners who want to encourage people to walk or use. Shade, cooling pavement and other infrastructure interventions can increase the distance people are willing to walk and make cities safer and more comfortable.
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