Health and Safety Hazards Associated with Subways: A Review

Gershon, Robyn R.M.

doi:10.1093/jurban/jti004

Cited by 40 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Regarding the weights of vulnerability factors, a more visualized presentation about the importance value of each factor can be seen in Figure 4. Consistent with the current studies concerning the rail transit safety operation [28,29], the management dimension (B4), is believed to be of greatest importance in the criteria level. Not only can more scientific and comprehensive management lower the probability of accidents, but it can also limit the loss associated with those accidents [1].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 65%

“…For example, installing platform screen doors can keep passengers from falling onto the tracks or attempting suicide. [16,28,29] Environment (B3) Natural environment (C9) Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, strong winds, and snowstorms, can impair the safe operation of the system. [16,29] Social environment (C10)…”

Section: Vulnerability Factors Of Rail Transit Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The more efficient and timely the actions, the less will be the impact of the accident. [29,30] Emergency support system setup (C21)…”

Section: Rules and Regulations (C14)mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Using an AHP-ISM Based Method to Study the Vulnerability Factors of Urban Rail Transit System

et al. 2017

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Abstract:As a sustainable means of public transportation, urban rail transit system undergoes rapid expansion in China. How to provide a safe and reliable service has been the subject of growing attention in this context. However, such work is challenging because rail transit systems are quite vulnerable and influenced by a set of interacting factors. Studying these vulnerability factors will contribute significantly to the operation of rail transit system. From this perspective, this paper made an exploration of the vulnerability factors based on an integrated method consisting of AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process) and ISM (Interpretative Structural Modeling). Based on literature review, 21 vulnerability factors were identified. Subsequently, expert elicitation was employed to ascertain the importance of each factor and the interrelations among them. The results suggest that management and individual factors have the highest importance weights and the interrelations among vulnerability factors could be expressed as a five-layer structure, in which management factors were inclined to be at the lower level. The research provides valuable information for decision makers to take proactive strategies and reinforcement policies to guarantee safety operation of urban rail transit system and ensure urban public safety, which could promote the sustainable development of cities.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 65%

Section: Vulnerability Factors Of Rail Transit Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Using an AHP-ISM Based Method to Study the Vulnerability Factors of Urban Rail Transit System

et al. 2017

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“…Excessive noise levels associated with other above-and belowground mass transit systems have been documented. 6,7 Most recently, studies of the New York City subway system indicate that noise levels are sufficiently high to be injurious to the hearing health of some portion of the ridership. 8,9 Noise exposure is a concern on BART for several reasons.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Study of Riders' Noise Exposure on Bay Area Rapid Transit Trains

2011

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Excessive noise exposure may present a hazard to hearing, cardiovascular, and psychosomatic health. Mass transit systems, such as the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system, are potential sources of excessive noise. The purpose of this study was to characterize transit noise and riders' exposure to noise on the BART system using three dosimetry metrics. We made 268 dosimetry measurements on a convenience sample of 51 line segments. Dosimetry measures were modeled using linear and nonlinear multiple regression as functions of average velocity, tunnel enclosure, flooring, and wet weather conditions and presented visually on a map of the BART system. This study provides evidence of levels of hazardous levels of noise exposure in all three dosimetry metrics. L eq and L max measures indicate exposures well above ranges associated with increased cardiovascular and psychosomatic health risks in the published literature. L peak indicate acute exposures hazardous to adult hearing on about 1% of line segment rides and acute exposures hazardous to child hearing on about 2% of such rides. The noise to which passengers are exposed may be due to trainspecific conditions (velocity and flooring), but also to rail conditions (velocity and tunnels). These findings may point at possible remediation (revised speed limits on longer segments and those segments enclosed by tunnels). The findings also suggest that specific rail segments could be improved for noise.

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“…[2][3][4] Subways, in particular, are a focus of attention, not only because of their vast ridership, which is far greater than all other forms of mass transit combined, but also because of the wide range of potential health and safety hazards associated with them. 5 Even though a number of these hazards, such as excessive vibration, airborne heavy metal particulates, and electromagnetic radiation, have been considered, [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] risk assessment data on these and other potential subway-related health hazards remain extremely sparse. Numerous barriers to conducting subway research may explain this information gap, with the lack of interest from the agencies that operate subway systems perhaps the most important barrier.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pilot Survey of Subway and Bus Stop Noise Levels

Gershon

Neitzel²,

Barrera³

et al. 2006

J Urban Health

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Excessive noise exposure is a serious global urban health problem, adversely affecting millions of people. One often cited source of urban noise is mass transit, particularly subway systems. As a first step in determining risk within this context, we recently conducted an environmental survey of noise levels of the New York City transit system. Over 90 noise measurements were made using a sound level meter. Average and maximum noise levels were measured on subway platforms, and maximum levels were measured inside subway cars and at several bus stops for comparison purposes. The average noise level measured on the subway platforms was 86 T 4 dBA (decibel-A weighting). Maximum levels of 106, 112, and 89 dBA were measured on subway platforms, inside subway cars, and at bus stops, respectively. These results indicate that noise levels in subway and bus stop environments have the potential to exceed recommended exposure guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), given sufficient exposure duration. Risk reduction strategies following the standard hierarchy of control measures should be applied, where feasible, to reduce subway noise exposure.

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Health and Safety Hazards Associated with Subways: A Review

Cited by 40 publications

References 15 publications

Using an AHP-ISM Based Method to Study the Vulnerability Factors of Urban Rail Transit System

Using an AHP-ISM Based Method to Study the Vulnerability Factors of Urban Rail Transit System

A Study of Riders' Noise Exposure on Bay Area Rapid Transit Trains

Pilot Survey of Subway and Bus Stop Noise Levels

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