Vilnius is preparing a map of heat islands: AI simulations will show which solutions would best cool the surfaces | Business

On the order of the Vilnius City Municipality, the company “ID Vilnius” is developing a virtual map application “Karščio salaų radaras”. It will help identify the hottest places in the city and take appropriate decisions to mitigate the heat island effect and its effects on residents.

Data is collected by drones

The temperature data of city roofs and surfaces will be collected by a drone with an integrated thermal imaging camera.

The received data will be analyzed and processed by ID Vilnius data analysts and presented on a virtual map. In the application, it will be possible to see not only the highest and lowest temperature of a certain area at different times of the day, but also the average temperature.

“Together with urban planners, the technology was tested and the results showed that data-based solutions can help address the heat island effect caused by hard surfaces in cities in a more appropriate way,” says ID Vilnius product manager Žygimantas Pagalys.

“ID Vilnius” photo/scanning of Broniaus Laurinavičiaus square

The first readings have already been done this summer in Broniaus Laurinavičius Square. By the end of September, 10 priority areas will be scanned, where changes are planned or it is assumed that the temperature in them is extremely high in summer.

The measurements will be continued next year as well. Later, it is planned to measure temperatures in streets and public spaces every summer, when the problem of heat islands becomes the most obvious.

Data-driven decisions

Once the data is received and fed into the application, it will initially identify the hottest areas of the city in public spaces. In the next stage, with the help of artificial intelligence, it is planned to generate various green infrastructure solutions in a simulated virtual environment: replacement of roofs, landscaping, etc. Simulations will show which solutions would best cool the heating surfaces.

After the changes are implemented, additional measurements will be taken. In this way, it will be possible to monitor the effectiveness of the implemented measures.

“We will analyze what infrastructural measures or greening solutions the city can take to reduce the heat island effect in the most problematic areas. We will also be able to plan how to help the citizens endure the heat during the summer by taking certain measures: building water columns, misting systems or similar measures”, says Laura Kairienė, chief architect of the Vilnius City Municipality.

The collected data will be available to specialists for the time being, and later it is planned to open it to the public.

Heat islands are a threat to residents

Heat islands form when the environment in urbanized areas – buildings, pavements such as asphalt and concrete – absorb, retain and then radiate heat, resulting in urban temperatures significantly higher than the surrounding rural areas. And the increasing frequency of heat waves, tropical nights, when the temperature does not cool down below 20 C at night, only exacerbates this problem.

The heat causes serious health problems, increases energy consumption and complicates living conditions for urban dwellers. The high temperature in the city causes heatstroke and dehydration for residents. This is especially dangerous for the elderly, children and those with chronic illnesses or respiratory diseases.

Heat islands negatively affect urban flora and fauna and reduce biodiversity.