Passenger Rail Service Comfortability in Kuala Lumpur Urban Transit System
Rail transit transportation system is among the public transportation network in 
Kuala Lumpur City. Some important elements in establishing this system are ticket price, 
operation cost, maintenance implications, service quality and passenger’s comfortability. The 
level of passenger’s comfortability in the coach is important to be considered by the relevant 
authorities and system operators in order to provide comfort and safety to passengers. The 
objective this research is to study some parameters that impact the comfortability of passengers 
and to obtain feedbacks from passengers for different rail transit system. Site observations were 
conducted to obtain data such as noise, vibration, speed and coach layouts which will be 
verified by using the passenger feedback outcomes. The research will be focused in and around 
the Kuala Lumpur City for the duration of 10 months. Four rail transit systems were being 
considered, i.e. Train Type A (LRA), Train Type B (LRB), Train Type C (MRL) and Train 
Type D (CTR). Data parameters obtained from field observations were conducted in the rail 
coaches during actual operation using apparatus among others the sound level meter (SLM), 
vibration analyzer (VA) and the global positioning system (GPS). Questionnaires were 
prepared as passenger feedback instrument, focusing on the level of comfortability in rail 
coaches. The outcomes of these analyses showed that CTR was the best and most comfortable 
coach, followed by LRA, LRB and MRL. Using the passenger feedbacks (MBP) it was also 
found that the ranking values for the railway transit system using Rail Coach Comfortability 
(RCC) is RCC (MBP) were the same as the outcomes using the RCC (parameters). In 
conclusion, it was found that this research has successfully determined the level of 
comfortability as determined in its aim and objectives. From this research, it is hoped that the 
relevant authorities will continue to find ways to enhance the comfortability and safety of its 
train coaches especially its passengers and the community at large.
Apraisal on Rail Transit Development : A Review on Train Service And Safety
The ever increasing problems faced by population around the world have made demands that transportation need to be improved as an effective and efficient communication means. It is considered as a necessity especially when rapid development and economic growth of a country is the agenda. Among the transportation modes being focused as critical facilities are the bus system, rail system, road network, shipping system and air transportation system. Rail transport is a means of conveyance of passengers and goods by way of wheeled vehicles running on rail tracks. In Malaysia, the railway network has evolved tremendously since its inception in the early 19 century. It has grown proportionally with the national development. Railway network does not only mean for rural transportation, but it also considered as a solution to urban congestion challenges. Currently, urban rail transit is the most popular means of urban transportation system especially as big cities such as Kuala Lumpur. This paper presents the definition of rail transportation system and its role in urban or sub-urban operation. It also describes the brief history of world railway transportation including a discussion on Malaysian rail history perspective. As policy and standard are important in operating a railway system, this paper also illustrates and discusses some elements which have an impact on the effectiveness and efficiency of train operation. Towards the end, this paper also shares the importance of railway safety based on real case studies around the world. Thus, it is hoped that this paper will enable the public to understand the rail transit development and appreciate its existence as a public transportation system.
First Insights into the Draft Genome Sequence of the Endophyte Paenibacillus amylolyticus Strain GM1FR, Isolated from Festuca rubra L.
ABSTRACT Paenibacillus amylolyticus strain GM1FR is an endophyte isolated from aerial plant tissues of Festuca rubra L. Here, we report the draft genome sequence (7.3 Mb) of GM1FR containing 6,241 protein-coding genes, some of which are potentially involved in plant growth promotion and biocontrol.