Cool Cities Heat Stress Assessment of Slow-traffic Infrastructure

This dataset quantifies extreme heat exposure on slow traffic infrastructure in the Dutch cities of Middelburg, Arnhem, and Rotterdam. It links modeled thermal stress conditions to walking and cycling infrastructure at high spatial resolution, identifying where pedestrians and cyclists are most exposed to extreme heat during daily movement movement and outdoor activities.
The dataset combines slow traffic infrastructure polygons with a 100 by 100 meter spatial grid and calculates the proportion of each grid cell affected by extreme heat stress, expressed as Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET).
Spatial coverage
Middelburg, The Netherlands
Arnhem, The Netherlands
Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Data sources
Slow traffic infrastructure: BGT wegdeel polygons representing cycling and walking infrastructure and places to stay.
Spatial framework: CBS 100 by 100 meter grid, used as the reporting unit.
Thermal data: PET raster from the KlimaatEffectsAtlas, representing extreme heat conditions.
Methods
BGT slow traffic infrastructure polygons were spatially unioned with the CBS 100 by 100 meter grid to ensure alignment between infrastructure elements and grid cells. A zonal histogram analysis was performed using the PET raster from the KlimaatEffectsAtlas.
For each grid cell, the analysis calculates the percentage of slow traffic infrastructure area exposed to PET values above 45 degrees Celsius. This threshold represents extreme heat stress conditions that can significantly affect thermal comfort, health, and the usability of public space.
The resulting indicator expresses the share of walking and cycling infrastructure within each grid cell that experiences extreme heat, directly linking thermal conditions to how public space is used rather than to land surface characteristics alone.
Outputs
The dataset provides, for each 100 by 100 meter grid cell:
Percentage of slow traffic infrastructure area exposed to PET above 45 degrees Celsius
Spatially aligned grid geometry suitable for mapping and spatial analysis
Values range from 0 to 100 percent and represent relative exposure within the modeled heat scenario.
Intended use
This dataset supports:
Identification of priority locations for cooling and shading measures along walking and cycling routes
Urban heat adaptation planning focused on daily mobility and places to stay
Integration into composite heat risk assessments and spatial planning tools
Communication with planners, designers, and policymakers about heat exposure in public space
By focusing on slow traffic infrastructure, the dataset highlights heat exposure where people are active and spend time outdoors.
Limitations
PET values are based on modeled extreme heat conditions and do not capture temporal dynamics such as repeated heatwaves or nighttime stress.
The dataset represents outdoor exposure only and does not account for indoor environments or individual behavior.
Results depend on the completeness and accuracy of BGT infrastructure polygons and PET raster resolution.
Exposure is expressed as relative area within grid cells and does not represent direct health outcomes.
Reuse notes
Users are encouraged to interpret the results as a screening level indicator and to combine them with local knowledge, vulnerability data, and on site observations when designing and prioritizing heat adaptation measures.