Strategies for Enhancing Thermal Comfort in Bus Stops Through Sustainable Design and Material Selection

Abstract

Global warming is an undeniable reality, necessitating innovative solutions to enhance thermal comfort while minimizing environmental impact, and avoiding the rapid reliance on fossil fuel based approaches. This research specifically addresses the challenge of improving thermal comfort at bus stops in Egypt’s arid climate, where high temperatures, intense solar radiation, and wind cause significant discomfort for passengers waiting for public transportation. The study focuses on implementing passive design strategies, including shading devices and ventilation techniques, tailored to the region’s wind patterns and solar conditions. Additionally, this research introduces a novel, sustainable composite material made from sugarcane bagasse and epoxy resin, which is lightweight and has low thermal conductivity, for use in the roofs and walls of bus stop structures. Louvers are constructed from wood, while aluminium is utilized for seating and the main structural components. Using Ladybug software, computer simulations were conducted to compare two new design prototypes with the current bus stop design, considering different street orientations. The findings reveal that the Universal Climate Index (UTCI) for the current design for a big portion of the year lies between 35oC and 40oC. While the UTCI ranges between 28°C-30°C and 26°C-34°C for the first and second prototype respectively. Thermal comfort improved to 80% with the proposed designs, in contrast to just 37% for the conventional existing bus stop, while stress levels throughout the year decreased from 50% to 6%. These results offer practical insights for improving bus stop thermal comfort and help promote sustainable public transportation in Egypt.