How extreme heat affects daily routines and travel habits
A recent study conducted by researchers from Arizona State University, University of Washington, and University of Texas at Austin shows that extreme heat has a significant impact on how people go about their daily activities, affecting everything from time spent at home to transportation choices. The study, titled “Understanding How Extreme Heat Impacts Human Activity-Mobility and Time Use Patterns,” highlights the need for urgent policy action as cities worldwide face rising temperatures.
Led by Ram M. Pendyala from ASU, the research team looked into how extreme heat influences daily activity-travel behavior and time use patterns for different socio-demographic groups. They analyzed data from the American Time Use Survey and weather information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in 11 major U.S. metropolitan areas.
The study reveals that extreme heat leads people to spend less time outside their homes, reducing outdoor activities and non-essential travel. Transportation choices also shift during extreme heat, with more people opting for cars over walking, biking, and public transit. Low-income individuals and those without cars are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat effects, as they rely more on walking and public transportation.
To address these challenges, the researchers suggest policy recommendations such as creating shaded public spaces, providing transportation vouchers for vulnerable populations, and declaring “heat days” to encourage people to stay indoors. They emphasize the importance of urban design improvements to make cities more resilient to rising temperatures.
As extreme heat events become more frequent due to climate change, the study underscores the need for cities to incorporate heat mitigation strategies into their urban planning efforts. The researchers hope their findings will inspire policymakers to take action to create more heat-resilient cities and protect vulnerable populations from the dangers of extreme heat.
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Michael Thompson earned his degree in Agricultural Engineering from Purdue University in the USA, specializing in precision agriculture and smart farming technologies. His work revolves around the development of automated systems that increase farm efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Michael is now a senior engineer at a leading agri-tech company, where he designs innovative solutions for modern agriculture.