A comparison study of simulation-based prediction tools for air temperature and outdoor thermal comfort in a tropical climate

Abstract

Predicting the urban microclimate using simulation tools can help designers to increase outdoor thermal comfort. This study discusses 4 prediction tools from an urban designer's view regarding their capabilities, limitations, ease of use, and accuracy. ENVT-met, RayMan, SOLWEIG, and STEVE are urban microclimate prediction tools investigated in this study. Measured and simulated air temperature, mean radiant temperature and thermal comfort indices are compared across multiple sites and weather conditions. The novelty is evaluating 4 tools' ability to help drive design decisions and the predictive accuracy of the tools that may influence those decisions from the view of an urban designer.