PRINCIPLES OF THE NEW UNIVERSAL THERMAL CLIMATE INDEX (UTCI) AND ITS APPLICATION TO BIOCLIMATIC RESEARCH IN EUROPEAN SCALE
Journal Title: Miscellanea Geographica - Regional Studies on Development - Year 2010, Vol 14, Issue 1
Abstract
During the last century about 100 indices were developed to assess influences of the atmosphere on human being. However, most of them have not close relationships with physiological reactions in man. In 1999 International Society of Biometeorology established special study group do develop new Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI). Since 2005 these efforts have been reinforced by the COST Action 730 (Cooperation in Science and Technical Development). In February 2009 the Action was terminated and UTCI was developed. The new UTCI index represents air temperature of the reference condition with the same physiological response as the actual condition. The index base on Fiala model that is one of the most advanced multi-node thermophysiological models and include the capability to predict both whole body thermal effects (hypothermia and hyperthermia; heat and cold discomfort), and local effects (facial, hands and feet cooling and frostbite). The model consists of two inter¬acting systems: the controlling active system; and the controlled passive system. The assessment scale of UTCI bases on the intensity of objective physiological reactions to environmental heat stress in wide range of weather and climates. The index can be applicable in various research, for example in weather forecasts, bioclimatological assessments, bioclimatic mapping in all scales (from micro to macro), urban design, engineering of outdoor spaces, consultancy for where to live, outdoor recreation and climatotherapy, epidemiology and climate impact research. The paper presents thermophysiological principles of UTCI as well as some examples of its application to assess bioclimatic differentiation of Europe
Authors and Affiliations
Krzysztof Błażejczyk, Peter Broede, Dusan Fiala, George Havenith, Ingvar Holmér, Gerd Jendritzky, Bernhardt Kampmann, Anna Kunert
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP69590
- DOI -
- Views 93
- Downloads 0
CHANGES IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE HIERARCHY OF CITIES AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN SUBURBAN AREAS (THE CASES OF KIELCE AND RADOM)
The systemic transformation of Poland after 1989 led to an acceleration of restructuring processes both in the national economy and in individual regions. The dynamics of changes was exceptionally high in rural areas. Th...
Kadavu Island: adaptation and stagnation in the Fijian periphery
The outer island of Kadavu is representative of the Fijian periphery. This paper deals with its physical characteristics, infrastructural conditions, and village economic activities with the aim of understanding the chan...
EU cohesion policy as a requirement to voivodeship development pathways
Poland joined the European Union on 1 May 2004. By 2007, this had resulted in Poland being the greatest beneficiary of the European cohesion policy due to its low per capita GDP by purchasing power parity at the voivodes...
The Electronic Spatial Information System – tools for the monitoring of asbestos in Poland
On January 1, 2005 the use of asbestos-containing products was banned in the European Union. According to the Act of 19 June 1997 banning the use of these products, their usage in Poland should be abated by the end of 20...
Touristic development of the La Lopé National Park (Gabon) in light of the SWOT analysis
The purpose of this article is to evaluate the possibilities of touristic development of the La Lopé National Park and to indicate the most important barriers and limitations of the area exploitation. For this purpose a...