Comfort assessment in outdoor spaces supported by dynamic environmental monitoring: A comparison between different travel conditions.

This study investigated outdoor comfort during climate walks by comparing subjective and physiological responses of 24 participants at designated stopping points and while moving. In accordance with the study objectives, two participant groups were evaluated: active participants (walkers) and sedentary participants (using an adapted wheelchair). Mobile data collection and thematic mapping were employed to evaluate objective environmental parameters. Thermal maps indicated that both natural and artificial shading reduced ambient temperatures. Elevated noise and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations were detected near road junctions, where traffic contributed to environmental disturbances. Confounding variables affecting physiological data included minor differences in body mass and clothing among participants. Skin temperature differences reached statistical significance (p < .01), although the relationship was counterintuitive, suggesting that a within-subjects design is more appropriate than between-subjects or pairwise comparisons. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed statistically significant differences between subjects at p < .01 for responses to four of seven questionnaire items. The effect sizes, measured by Cohen's omega squared, ranged from weak to medium. Walkers reported greater thermal discomfort and dissatisfaction. These results underscore the necessity of accounting for physical activity levels when evaluating environmental comfort, as metabolic rate influences environmental perception.