SOCIETAL PERCEPTION AND SOCIOECONOMIC VULNERABILITY TO TRAFFIC-INDUCED-AIR POLLUTION IN THE RAPIDLY URBANIZING CITY OF KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA

Traffic activities from a high volume of automobiles are the main cause of urban air quality deterioration that affects public health. This study focuses on the link between socioeconomic status and their perception of the causes of urban traffic pollution from motor vehicles and traffic activities in the equatorial city of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Several statistical techniques, including chi-square and exploratory factor analysis, analyzed the survey data of 200 residents. The results showed more than half of the respondents perceived a basic knowledge of traffic pollution and over 70% were aware of the negative impact of air pollution on human health. However, only 58% of the residents positively identified the technical processes of the sources of traffic pollution. Instead of emissions from motor vehicles, most of the respondents perceived that environmental factors are significant contributors to urban pollution. Furthermore, the residents’ awareness and attitudes towards vehicular traffic pollution are influenced by socioeconomic aspects, such as the level of education, gender, and age. Understanding the impact of socioeconomic status differences among the residents is crucial in addressing the issue of deteriorating urban air quality and reducing the negative impacts faced by vulnerable urban low-income communities.