Investigation of a river-tunnel effect on PM2.5 concentrations in New York City subway stations

Authors

David G. Luglio
Tri Huynh
Antonio Saporito
Terry Gordon

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2023

Subject Area

mode - subway/metro, infrastructure - station, place - north america, place - urban, planning - environmental impact

Keywords

subway station, fine particulate matter

Abstract

It is well-documented that subway stations exhibit high fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations. Little is known about the potential of river-tunnels to increase PM2.5 concentrations in subways. We hypothesized a “river-tunnel” effect exists: Stations adjacent to poorly ventilated tunnels that travel beneath rivers exhibit higher PM2.5 concentrations than more distant stations. Accordingly, the PM2.5 concentrations were monitored at stations adjacent to and two- and three-stations distant from the river-tunnel. Multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted to disentangle how proximity to a river-tunnel and other factors (e.g., depth) influence concentrations. Stations adjacent to a river-tunnel had 80–130% higher PM2.5 concentrations than more distant stations. Moreover, distance from a river-tunnel was the strongest PM2.5-influencing factor This distance effect was not observed at underground stations adjacent to a river-bridge. The “river-tunnel” effect explains some of the inter-station variability in subway PM2.5 concentrations. These results support the need for improving ventilation systems in subways.

Rights

Permission to publish the abstract has been given by Elsevier, copyright remains with them.

Comments

Transportation Research Part D Home Page:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/13619209

Recommended Citation

Luglio, D. G., Huynh, T., Saporito, A., & Gordon, T. (2023). Investigation of a river-tunnel effect on PM2. 5 concentrations in New York City subway stations. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 115, 103579.