COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF PM10 CONCENTRATIONS BETWEEN SEMI-ENCLOSED AND ENCLOSED STATIONS OF MASS RAPID TRANSIT IN KLANG VALLEY, MALAYSIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v24i43.2126Keywords:
Indoor Air Quality, Railway Station, Particulate Matters, Ventilation Systems, Transportation Management, Sustainable TransportAbstract
Urban air quality is a growing concern in rapidly developing regions, where the physical structure of public spaces often dictates the level of pollutant exposure. Within this urban landscape, public transport systems like the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) serve as critical environments where commuters are frequently exposed to varying levels of particulate matter such as PM10. The concentration of pollutants in these spaces is largely determined by station design. This study investigates PM10 concentrations in semi-closed and enclosed stations of MRT in Klang Valley, Malaysia to determine the influence of specific station designs and ventilation systems towards the indoor air quality. The results show that there are significant differences in PM10 concentrations between these two types of stations (t=-35.805, df=142.00, p<0.05). These variations indicate that semi-enclosed stations often experience higher PM10 accumulation due to the influence of external ambient air, where concentrations fluctuate based on nearby traffic density and local wind patterns. Conversely, enclosed stations are depending more on the ventilation conditions and occupancy levels. These findings highlight the need to give extra consideration to station design and ventilation in managing PM10 exposure, as different station designs can lead to varying air quality levels that directly impact commuters’ health.
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