Implementation of Iot-Based Air Quality Monitoring System for Investigating Particulate Matter (PM10) in Subway Tunnels
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International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Article Implementation of IoT-Based Air Quality Monitoring System for Investigating Particulate Matter (PM10) in Subway Tunnels Jun Ho Jo 1 , ByungWan Jo 1,* , Jung Hoon Kim 1 and Ian Choi 2 1 Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea; [email protected] (J.H.J.); [email protected] (J.H.K.) 2 Yongsan International School of Seoul, Seoul 04347, Korea; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +82-2-2220-0327 Received: 7 July 2020; Accepted: 27 July 2020; Published: 28 July 2020 Abstract: Air quality monitoring for subway tunnels in South Korea is a topic of great interest because more than 8 million passengers per day use the subway, which has a concentration of particulate matter (PM10) greater than that of above ground. In this paper, an Internet of Things (IoT)-based air quality monitoring system, consisting of an air quality measurement device called Smart-Air, an IoT gateway, and a cloud computing web server, is presented to monitor the concentration of PM10 in subway tunnels. The goal of the system is to efficiently monitor air quality at any time and from anywhere by combining IoT and cloud computing technologies. This system was successfully implemented in Incheon’s subway tunnels to investigate levels of PM10. The concentration of particulate matter was greatest between the morning and afternoon rush hours. In addition, the residence time of PM10 increased as the depth of the monitoring location increased. During the experimentation period, the South Korean government implemented an air quality management system. An analysis was performed to follow up after implementation and assess how the change improved conditions. Based on the experiments, the system was efficient and effective at monitoring particulate matter for improving air quality in subway tunnels. Keywords: air quality monitoring; particulate matter; subway tunnels; Internet of Things; cloud computing 1. Introduction The subway is a major transportation system in South Korea used by approximately eight million commuters per day [1,2]. In order to secure a comfortable environment for passengers, it is important to investigate air quality in the system [3]. While the subway has provided environmentally sustainable transit by reducing traffic congestion on the road, it has become evident that subway systems have air pollution problems. Such problems may present potential health risks to commuters and working staff because the concentration level of particulate matter (PM10) is generally higher than that above ground, proven by published studies [4–10]. According to many researchers, most aerosol particles in subway tunnels are by-products of friction between the wheels of an operating subway car and the train rails. Unlike pollutants above ground, particulate matter in subway tunnels is generally composed of metals such as iron, copper, magnesium, zinc, silicon, barium, and manganese [7,11–14]. Additionally, air pollutants are carried by natural air circulation or commuters. The government has been diversifying its efforts to improve the air quality of subway systems by installing air purifiers, installing wind guard doors, and conducting national research projects [15–18]. Unfortunately, increased amounts of PM10 have been deteriorating Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 5429; doi:10.3390/ijerph17155429 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 5429 2 of 12 Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, x 2 of 12 lung function and causing respiratory difficulties [19–23]. It is clear that investigating the contamination the contamination level of air quality in subways, especially with PM10, is required to provide basic level of air quality in subways, especially with PM10, is required to provide basic data for establishing andata improvement for establishing plan. an improvement plan. InIn thisthis study,study, anan InternetInternet of Things (IoT) (IoT)-based-based air air quality quality monitoring monitoring system system was was developed developed to tomonitor monitor particulate particulate matter matter and and was was implemented implemented in a in subway a subway tunnel tunnel in Incheon, in Incheon, South South Korea. Korea. The Themain main purpose purpose of this of this system system was was to tomonitor monitor particulate particulate matter matter in in real real-time-time and to analyzeanalyze thethe condition of PM10. In this study, IoT technology was used to measure and transmit air quality data, condition of PM10. In this study, IoT technology was used to measure and transmit air quality data, whilewhile cloud cloud computing computing technology technology was was applied applied to to analyze analyze and and store store data. data. In In addition,addition, an an instantinstant alertalert systemsystem waswas developeddeveloped toto informinform personnelpersonnel toto taketake immediateimmediate actionaction whenwhen aa changechange inin airair qualityquality waswas detected. detected. 2.2. IoT-BasedIoT-Based Air Air Quality Quality Monitoring Monitoring System System InIn orderorder toto monitormonitor airair qualityquality accuratelyaccurately andand eefficientlyfficiently inin real-time,real-time, anan IoT-basedIoT-based airair qualityquality monitoringmonitoring systemsystem waswas developeddeveloped forfor subwaysubway tunnelstunnels toto monitormonitor airair qualityquality byby measuringmeasuring thethe concentrationconcentration levels levels of of particulate particulate matter. matter. As A showns shown in Figurein Figure1, the 1, systemthe system was primarilywas primarily divided divided into threeinto three parts: parts: A Smart-Air A Smart device,-Air device, an IoT an gateway, IoT gateway, and a and cloud a cloud computing-based computing-based web server. web server We used. We 10 Smart-Airused Smart devices-Air devices for the for measurement the measurement of PM of 10PMto monitorto monitor and and determine determine air air quality quality in in subway subway tunnels.tunnels. TheThe gatewaygateway waswas usedused asas aa bridge,bridge, wirelesslywirelessly connectingconnecting thethe Smart-AirSmart-Air devicedevice withwith thethe webweb server.server. The The web web server server allowed allowed us us to to analyze analyze and and determine determine air air quality quality conditions. conditions. It hasIt has the the ability ability to calculateto calculate the the Air Air Quality Quality Index Index (AQI) (AQI) for for particulate particulate matter, matter, to to visualize visualize the the concentrations concentrations of of each each pollutant,pollutant, and and to to store store the the data data for for further further analysis analysis [ 24[24]]. FigureFigure 1. 1. AA configuration configuration diagram diagram of of the the Internet Internet of of Things Things based based air air quality quality monitoring monitoring system. system. 2.1.2.1. Smart-AirSmart-Air TheThe Smart-Air Smart-Air device device is anis airan qualityair quality monitoring monitoring device device from Smart-Isfrom Smart that- isIs designedthat is designed to monitor to indoormonitor air indoor quality air with quality accuracy with and accuracy reliability and byreliability using an by expandable using an expandable interface as interface shown in as Figure shown2. in Figure 2. Therefore, multiple sensors can be easily installed or edited according to monitoring requirements. Moreover, a Light-Emitting Diode (LED) strip mounted in the device displays different Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 5429 3 of 12 Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, x 3 of 12 Therefore, multiple sensors can be easily installed or edited according to monitoring requirements. Moreover,colors to indicate a Light-Emitting the condition Diode of air (LED) quality strip in mountedreal-time. inTh thee color device code displays for this didisplayfferent is colors defined to indicateby AQI. the condition of air quality in real-time. The color code for this display is defined by AQI. FigureFigure 2.2. Smart-AirSmart-Air device.device. Since thethe Smart-AirSmart-Air device has an expandable interface, it can measure any pollutants pollutants,, including other particulate matter matter beyond beyond PM PM1010, ,through through install installationation of ofappropriate appropriate sensor sensorss in inthe the device device.. In Inaddition addition,, it is it ispossible possible to toinstall install several several de devicesvices to to expand expand coverage coverage when when the the monitoring monitoring area is too largelarge forfor onlyonly oneone device.device. However,However, the the device device was was designed designed to to measure measure concentrations concentrations of of PM PM10,10 and, and a lasera laser dust dust sensor sensor mounted mounted in in the the device device was was used used in in the the research. research. InIn thethe device,device, aa laserlaser dustdust sensor (PM(PM 2007,2007, fromfrom WuhanWuhan Cubic Cubic Opto-electronics Opto-electronics Co.) Co. was) was installed installed to to measure measure particle particle sizes size froms from 0.3 0.3 to 10to µ10m. μm. The The sensor sensor was was successfully successfully verified verified for reliabilityfor reliability by following by following the prescribed the prescribed procedure procedure from thefrom Ministry the Ministry of Environment, of Environment, Korea Korea [24]. [24]. To