Spatio-temporal variability of ambient air quality under the influence of private vehicle-dominated traffic activity in Yogyakarta Urban Area (Indonesia)
Abstract
Air quality is one of the environmental issues that has become a global concern and a priority in the Sustainable Development Goals. This study aims to evaluate the ambient air quality on secondary roads in the urban area of Yogyakarta under the influence of traffic levels. The air quality variables in this study include PM2.5, PM10, CO2, HCHO, and TVOC. Data collection was conducted through observation and literature study. A total of 134 data points were collected from 37 measurement locations in this study. The data were analyzed using matching, geographic information systems (GIS), statistical methods, and descriptive approaches. The results indicate that CO2 is the only parameter significantly correlated with traffic activity. More specifically, CO2 is significantly related to motorcycles, where an increase in the number of motorcycles corresponds to a rise in CO2 levels. Spatially, there is a difference in average CO2 levels between urban and suburban areas. CO2 levels are higher in suburban areas than in the city center due to commuter traffic from surrounding areas. HCHO and TVOC do not show a significant correlation with traffic levels. Meanwhile, the number and intensity of cars on the road, although not as numerous as motorcycles, contribute to increased levels of PM2.5 and PM10. This study provides new insights into the relationship between private vehicle activity and air quality in non-industrial cities, contributing to the development of regional theories in Southeast Asia on the environmental impact of transportation activity on secondary roads. Additionally, the findings of this study imply the need for spatiotemporal traffic management, not only to prevent traffic congestion but also to control pollution levels.
Keywords
Supporting Institution
Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta
Thanks
The authors would like to thank Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta for funding this study through the 2025 Professor Research Grant. Additionally, thanks are due to the research assistants who assisted with field observations.
References
- Anderson, J. O., Thundiyil, J. G., & Stolbach, A. (2012). Clearing the Air: A Review of the Effects of Particulate Matter Air Pollution on Human Health. Journal of Medical Toxicology, 8(2), 166–175. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13181-011-0203-1.
- Anwar, S., Shameer, M., Alawadhi, H., & Hamdan, N. M. (2024). Source apportionment of PM2.5 and PM10 pollutants near an urban roadside site using positive matrix factorization. Environmental Advances, 17, 100573. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envadv.2024.100573
- Ashari, A. (2017). Geomorphology of the Southern Flank of Merapi Volcano in Relation to the Potential Hazards and Natural Resources: A Review. Geomedia: Majalah Ilmiah dan Informasi Kegeografian, 15(2), 183–192. https://doi.org/10.21831/gm.v15i2.19556.
- Ashari, A., Nurussolikhin, R. P. S., Putri, A., Ervin, M., & Indra Wardoyo, M. A. (2025). Spatio-temporal patterns of air quality on commuter lane of the sub-urban area of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Environmental Research and Technology, 8(2), 354–371. https://doi.org/10.35208/ert.1502586.
- Ashari, A., Olivia, R. A., Reswari, A.-Z. A., Brotowiranti, R. W., Hadi, B. S., & Ervin, M. (2024). Reciprocal-relationship between the development of "Trans Jogja" public transportation and urban spatial structure in Yogyakarta agglomeration. Geomedia Majalah Ilmiah dan Informasi Kegeografian, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.21831/gm.v22i1.72878.
- Ashari, A., & Purwantara, S. (2022). Bentanglahan Vulkanik Indonesia: Aspek Fisikal dan Kultural (M. Nursa’ban, Ed.). UNY Press.
- Awogbemi, O., Desai, D. A., Kallon, D. V. Von, & Akerele, A. U. (2025). Physicochemical Conversion Technologies of Biomass for Bioenergy Production. Turkish Journal of Engineering, 9(4), 643–660. https://doi.org/10.31127/tuje.1688455.
- Azhari, A., Latif, M. T., & Mohamed, A. F. (2018). Road traffic as an air pollutant contributor within an industrial park environment. Atmospheric Pollution Research, 9(4), 680–687. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apr.2018.01.007.
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Air Pollution Modelling and Control
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
July 6, 2026
Submission Date
December 13, 2025
Acceptance Date
June 2, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 3
APA
Purwantara, S., Ashari, A., & Kapisan, G. H. A. (2026). Spatio-temporal variability of ambient air quality under the influence of private vehicle-dominated traffic activity in Yogyakarta Urban Area (Indonesia). Turkish Journal of Engineering, 10(3), 1010-1025. https://doi.org/10.31127/tuje.1841472
AMA
1.Purwantara S, Ashari A, Kapisan GHA. Spatio-temporal variability of ambient air quality under the influence of private vehicle-dominated traffic activity in Yogyakarta Urban Area (Indonesia). TUJE. 2026;10(3):1010-1025. doi:10.31127/tuje.1841472
Chicago
Purwantara, Suhadi, Arif Ashari, and Grace Helena Amaranthois Kapisan. 2026. “Spatio-Temporal Variability of Ambient Air Quality under the Influence of Private Vehicle-Dominated Traffic Activity in Yogyakarta Urban Area (Indonesia)”. Turkish Journal of Engineering 10 (3): 1010-25. https://doi.org/10.31127/tuje.1841472.
EndNote
Purwantara S, Ashari A, Kapisan GHA (July 1, 2026) Spatio-temporal variability of ambient air quality under the influence of private vehicle-dominated traffic activity in Yogyakarta Urban Area (Indonesia). Turkish Journal of Engineering 10 3 1010–1025.
IEEE
[1]S. Purwantara, A. Ashari, and G. H. A. Kapisan, “Spatio-temporal variability of ambient air quality under the influence of private vehicle-dominated traffic activity in Yogyakarta Urban Area (Indonesia)”, TUJE, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 1010–1025, July 2026, doi: 10.31127/tuje.1841472.
ISNAD
Purwantara, Suhadi - Ashari, Arif - Kapisan, Grace Helena Amaranthois. “Spatio-Temporal Variability of Ambient Air Quality under the Influence of Private Vehicle-Dominated Traffic Activity in Yogyakarta Urban Area (Indonesia)”. Turkish Journal of Engineering 10/3 (July 1, 2026): 1010-1025. https://doi.org/10.31127/tuje.1841472.
JAMA
1.Purwantara S, Ashari A, Kapisan GHA. Spatio-temporal variability of ambient air quality under the influence of private vehicle-dominated traffic activity in Yogyakarta Urban Area (Indonesia). TUJE. 2026;10:1010–1025.
MLA
Purwantara, Suhadi, et al. “Spatio-Temporal Variability of Ambient Air Quality under the Influence of Private Vehicle-Dominated Traffic Activity in Yogyakarta Urban Area (Indonesia)”. Turkish Journal of Engineering, vol. 10, no. 3, July 2026, pp. 1010-25, doi:10.31127/tuje.1841472.
Vancouver
1.Suhadi Purwantara, Arif Ashari, Grace Helena Amaranthois Kapisan. Spatio-temporal variability of ambient air quality under the influence of private vehicle-dominated traffic activity in Yogyakarta Urban Area (Indonesia). TUJE. 2026 Jul. 1;10(3):1010-25. doi:10.31127/tuje.1841472