Thermal Comfort at Urban Bus Stops in Denver, CO: A Seasonal Analysis

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Presenter Information(s)

Olivia Young, Ian Echelmeier, Anthony Gesford, Evan Wittman, Ryan Goodale

Abstract or Description

The urban heat island effect exacerbates the effect of heat in urban areas due to little vegetation, the built environment, and reduced nighttime cooling. Public transportation is frequently used in urban areas, but thermal comfort at the bus stop is largely unstudied. Measuring thermal conditions at bus stops is essential for assessing temperature exposure and improving stop design for commuter comfort. This study examines thermal conditions at unique bus stops across various bus lines in Denver, CO, and compares measurements from summer 2024 with ongoing measurements from winter 2025. Previous research shows that each of these factors also influences the microclimates surrounding each bus stop. Air temperature (in sun and shade), wind speed, globe temperature, and light intensity (LUX) were measured with heat stress trackers (HSTs) and light meters across terrain with varying amounts of shade, vegetation, pavements, and infrastructure. The measurements from summer 2024 indicate variability in thermal comfort between bus stops, with shaded bus stops’ temperatures being noticeably cooler. We expect that the measurements from winter 2025 will show a similar result, with shaded bus stops being slightly cooler than unshaded locations. This research project contributes to a broader understanding of microclimate impacts in transit environments while highlighting the importance of heat/cold mitigation strategies in public spaces.

Mentor

Benjamin Crawford