ASHRAE Research Project 1383-RP, Develop a Radiant System Module for the Simulation and Analysisof Spaces and Systems, produced analysis procedures that allow calculation and display of comfortconditions at any point within a room. These procedures are implemented in a PC-based applicationcalled Radiant Performance Explorer (RPE), an enhanced version of the ASHRAE Comfort Tool.

The project developed a method for calculating view factors from an arbitrarily-positioned occupant to allsurfaces of an arbitrarily-shaped space. With this general ability and knowledge of room surfacetemperatures, mean radiant temperature (MRT) can be calculated for any occupant position. This in turnallows derivation of common comfort measures, such as PMV and PPD. Other radiant values, such asradiant temperature asymmetry, are also calculated. RPE displays these results in a computer-graphicsbased visualization screen.

RPE can import and display data generated by the 3D drawing tool SketchUp, the building energysimulation application EnergyPlus, or other sources. Export of comfort results is available.The project also enhanced EnergyPlus to more flexibly model controlled-temperature panels.