Design for human comfort outdoors in cold climates, with specific reference to Winnipeg transit stops

Abstract

The purpose of this practicum was to research the optimum conditions for human thermal comfort for outdoor activities in cold climates, with specific reference to transit stops in the City of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The objectives were to identify the natural, physical and psychological factors that affect human thermal comfort, and how the arrangement of buildings, landscape structures, vegetation and landforms can modify microclimate and achieve conditions which fall within the human comfort zone for outdoor activities. The consideration of human thermal comfort generated the design of a transit stop on Dafoe Road, east of the Music Building and south of the Architecture II Building, at the University of Manitoba, Fort Garry Campus, Winnipeg. The design is intended to improve human comfort and visual quality of the site. The future development of the proposed site and an alternative design of a transit passenger shelter was conducted from extensive studies of transit stops and passenger shelters in Winnipeg. The passenger shelter prototype, which was designed for Winnipeg Transit System, replaced the existing bus shelter on the site in March 2001. The existing bus shelter was retro-fitted with a radiant floor heating system, a radiant-heated bench, and solar powered lighting and ventilating system. The University of Manitoba will provide maintenance support for the prototype and Professor Leon Feduniw and his students will monitor the efficiency of the thermal performance of the shelter.