RESEARCH TREND ON THERMAL COMFORT IN E-HAILING VEHICLES IN MALAYSIA

Abstract

This bibliometric analysis explores the evolving research landscape on thermal comfort in vehicles, a topic gaining prominence due to its critical role in passenger satisfaction, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability in the transportation sector. Despite technological advancements in automotive climate control systems, thermal discomfort remains a significant concern, especially in the context of electric and shared mobility solutions. The problem is compounded by varying climatic conditions, user preferences, and the growing demand for sustainable transportation. Thus, to address this research gap, a comprehensive bibliometric study was conducted using data extracted from the Scopus database. A total of 2,526 publications were analyzed employing Scopus Analyzer for quantitative assessment, OpenRefine for data cleaning and normalization, and VOSviewer for visualizing co-authorship networks, keyword co-occurrence, and thematic trends. The analysis spanned multiple dimensions, including publication trends by year, most cited works, leading contributing countries, and collaborative networks. Numerical results indicate a significant publication surge from 2023 to 2024, with China, Germany, and South Korea emerging as top contributors. Meanwhile, highly cited articles focus on Phase Change Materials (PCMs), personal comfort systems, and advanced thermal modeling techniques, underscoring the field’s technical diversity and interdisciplinary nature. Keyword analysis revealed a strong emphasis on terms such as “thermal comfort,” “vehicle climate,“energy efficiency,” and “smart mobility,” reflecting the convergence of engineering, environmental science, and user-centered design. In conclusion, this study provides a systematic overview of the scholarly contributions to vehicle thermal comfort research, identifying key areas of focus, influential authors, and emerging trends. The findings can guide future research and innovation in vehicle design, policy development, and the deployment of intelligent thermal management systems, ultimately contributing to more comfortable and energy-efficient transportation experiences.