A discussion about thermal comfort evaluation in a bus terminal

Transport stations are distributive hubs composed of transient spaces, often not fully indoor, where most users spend time waiting to travel or waiting for travelers. The aim of this article is to present a comparison between thermal comfort evaluation methods applied in a free running bus terminal located in a mild climate country. Data was collected in field measurements and surveys were performed on 240 passengers, focusing warm season operation conditions. The collected information allowed for the analysis of the comfort conditions of the station according to the following comfort models: PMV-PPD, aPMV, and the adaptive models defined in the ASHRAE 55 and EN 15251 standards. A comparison between the results and the thermal preference (MTP) and the thermal sensation (MTS) expressed in the ISO 10551 subjective scales was performed. It could be concluded that the PMV-PPD and aPMV models overestimated the cooling sensation. The ASHRAE 55 and EN 15251 adaptive approach, although more permissive, still was not totally in line with the thermal sensation of the respondents. An alternative approach based on the correlation between SET* and dissatisfied voters established through the thermal preference method provided a wider comfort range that appears, in this case, to be adequate.