amtrak covid ventilation

A looming question is whether once most Americans are vaccinated and people begin to return to flying, can Amtrak maintain its momentum and rebuild its ridership to pre-pandemic levels, then keep it growing. The data emerging from a handful of new research papers show that COVID-19 can build up in poorly ventilated spaces. Schools have been some of the first places to take a hard look at their ventilation. Its all about how many people you come in contact with during your journey. (CG: DR. BOB ARNOT, INFECTIOUS DISEASE EXPERT) 06:30 MIT JUST CAME OUT WITH A BRAND NEW PAPER TWO DAYS AGO SAYING IT DOESNT MATTER IF YOURE 6 OR 60 FEET AWAY THE KEY THING IS YOU NEED TO HAVE FRESH OUTDOOR AIR QUALITY INDOORS. That study went on to point out the potential threat existed even with a mask. With announcements of our largest order for new trains in decades, the opening of new stations, the addition of new customer services and amenities, and our proposals for new corridor service in up to 160 communities, Amtrak put in motion key initiatives to support an enhanced national rail network capable of serving more people in more places with better service. Business is now at about 70% of pre-COVID levels, up from 25% at this time in FY20, and based on the current forecast, ridership and revenue is expected to improve to about 80% of pre-COVID levels by the end of fiscal year 2022. If the lawmakers see it Amtraks way, many more travelers may ride the rails for reasons other than COVID-19 concerns. I also realized that absolutely none of the windows on the train were open, and frequent reminders over the intercom made it clear that passengers were not to attempt to open them. 09:30 PLUS YOU KNOW THE TRAIN STOPS, THE DOORS OPEN. Some drivers have even installed a plastic shield between the front and back seats. The driver of a tractor-trailer struck by an Amtrak train in Vermont on Monday has been ticketed. Also, Magliari said: We have significantly more spacing (than airlines and buses) between our seats. 05:49 CERTAINLY WITH THE SUMMER COMING WE'LL BE ABLE TO HAVE THE WINDOWS OPEN -- AND I'M SURE THAT WILL MAKE OUR PASSENGERS FEEL BETTER ABOUT HAVING THE FRESH AIR 05:56 THAT, IT SEEMS, MAY BE THE KEY MOVING FORWARD. Inside Ground Zero of the Coronavirus Pandemic, Oprah On COVID-19's Deadly Impact on Black America, The Governors Helping Americans Survive COVID. "We know this is an airborne virus. COVID-19 Innovative Adaptations As COVID-19 has greatly impacted the transportation industry, Amtrak has had to make some innovative adaptations. COVID-19 risk calculator: The safest and most dangerous things to do this holiday season; Updated number of COVID-19 deaths, cases in Bay Area; COVID-19 Help: Comprehensive list of resources . Most major cities subways and trains constantly recirculate a mixture of fresh air and older air, both of which are pulled through a filter rated on the MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) scale. Since then, Amtrak has enhanced both its fleet and travel experiences to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Nearly 500 Police and Sheriffs departments across 43 states and the District of Columbia joined the Amtrak Police Department and Operation Lifesaver Inc. to conduct Operation Clear Track, the single largest railroad safety law enforcement detail in the U.S. Amtrak also trained 3,052 employees in Safety Starts with Me, an internal safety program. Federal law says freight trains must yield to passenger trains when both want to use the same track. In the station, Lofgren says you should practice the same kind of social distancing that youd do at, say, the grocery store: Minimize your contact with other people, so if someone is boarding, hang out until theres space for you to safely get on behind them. "We're investing in some additional CO2 sensors, we're setting those CO2 sensors to the lowest possible level, which is ensuring that out systems are exchanging air, at the fastest possible rate," Superintendent Heather Perry said in our report on schools last August. A traveler tested negative for covid-19 before a flight. Amit Gaggar Photography: Steve Wood. The place is the environment. Being in a crowded airport or taking a taxi to get there could be a bigger concern, though. Feb. 28, 2023, at 5:33 p.m. Tractor-Trailer Driver Ticketed in Collision With Train. After locking the door behind me and closing the privacy curtain, I immediately took out my tub of Clorox wipes. One unexpected highlight of my train trip was the food both tasty and filling. Then, in 2009, Amtrak installed a new high-tech safety system on 97 miles of track it owns in western Michigan reaching into Indiana. In other words, unless I chose to, I wouldnt have to interact or share space with any other passengers on my 30-hour journey from Portland to Los Angeles. They were very serious about having people wear masks. Another safety factor? Nationwide, Amtrak was on time only 60% to 70% of the time in many states in 2019. Continue reading with a Scientific American subscription. Employees are also required to wear masks at all times, unless in their private rooms. For decades, improvements crept at the pace of a freight train inching through a switchyard. Oh, look at that! Her voice sounded like she had just won the lottery. Despite these rules, the woman directly behind me left her nose poking out over the top of her mask as she carried on an animated conversation with her traveler partner. "It's as if people were walking into burning buildings and we didn't have smoke detectors", "We know this is an airborne virus. When thinking about the risk of transmission, I like to use a rhyme that was coined by Bill Miller, an epidemiologist at The Ohio State University: people, place, time, and space, says Eleanor J. Murray, ScD, an assistant professor of epidemiology at Boston University School of Public Health. And read coverage from our international network of magazines here. The collision occurred at an unguarded rail crossing on a section of Quarry Road that only serves . Knowledge awaits. But many planes have excellent high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters that capture more than 99 percent of particles in the air, including microbes as SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID. One such investigation of a 10-hour journey from London to Hanoi starting on March 1 found that 15 people were likely infected with COVID-19 in-flightand that 12 of them had sat within a couple of rows of a single symptomatic passenger in business class. COVID-19 has fast-tracked many innovations already in the works. These face visors not only offer some added protection, says Lofgren, but they also make it easier to eat, drink, and communicate with other passengers.). It found no correlation between mass transit use and transmission of the virus. We have studied, analyzed, and made improvements to the Amtrak travel experience from beginning to end, focusing on the safety and health of our people and travelers.". Successfully activated Positive Train Control on all required routes across the Amtrak system in advance of new regulations. Finally, the signals of change are growing obvious. "We have been waylaid by the CDC with 'wash all this stuff,'" Dr. Arnot said. AND YOU KNOW EVEN ALMOST MINUTE BY MINUTE. Written by David Peter Alan , Contributing Editor. Amtrak put out a video highlighting its air filtration system, citing numbers that it cycles air through the train cars on average 44 times an hour, replacing with fresh air about every 5 minutes. Fresh air is helpful to keep droplets from lingering, but it still wont protect you from a direct hit of a cough or sneeze. Ridership had dipped as low as 10% of normal volume compared to 2019 at the worst of the pandemic this winter, according to the Downeaster. These include things like cleaning every seat, private room, baggage rack, bathroom, button, caf car, dining car, and other publicly shared spaces with an EPA-registered disinfectant before the train leaves not to mention continuing to spray and wipe down all major touchpoints, including bathrooms, every couple of hours. Offers may be subject to change without notice. WATCH LIVE Chicago & Suburban Cook Co. North Suburbs West Suburbs South Suburbs NW Indiana At the same time, the rail service announced that it would begin strictly monitoring where passengers sit and how many board each car. So how does this translate into overall risk? Im Linda, and Ill be your cabin attendant taking care of you all the way to Los Angeles. Lindas cheerful spirit was contagious, giving me the first real feeling of excitement and adventure since my last trip, a food-filled exploration of Houston back in late February. "Almost no cases came from somebody touching something -- all the time and effort spent washing when it should have been ventilation, number one, and masks, number two. I observed room attendants entering the private rooms of passengers who were not wearing masks. It is worth noting that masks are not mandatory in the dining car when seated for meals, nor are passengers required to wear masks elsewhere while they are eating or drinking. App users will also receive boarding gate and track information at select stations so they can head directly to their train. Here's how to get better air flow at home, in schools and offices even in gyms to stave off COVID. MERV-13 filters are less efficient than HEPA filters, but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends them for reducing the number of airborne viral particles. Sometimes, doing all this extra work makes me feel paranoid, and I almost didnt do it this time. This left a total of five dining tables open (all of which must be reserved for a specific time in advance). We were off. An NEJM study in March reported on a Thai taxi driver who fell ill and tested positive for the coronavirus after driving some tourists who had been coughing but wearing a mask. Wearing a mask also probably helps, and ride-share companies Uber and Lyft both require drivers and passengers to do so. Something to consider when weighing the pros and cons of booking a private room they all come with free meals, including select soft drinks and your first alcoholic drink, plus you have the option of eating off the dining car menu or going with something more casual in the caf car. Many buses have HVAC (heating, ventilating and air-conditioning) systems similar to those on subways and trains, with one additional factor: buses are more likely to have windows that open. Since then, that number has climbed north of 30% as the calendar moved closer to summer. Private Rooms 00:31) (CG: DR. BOB ARNOT, INFECTIOUS DISEASE EXPERT) 10:25 THE REASON WE STILL HAVE HUNDREDS TO THOUSANDS OF CASES EVERY SINGLE DAY IT'S AS IF PEOPLE WERE WALKING INTO BURNING BUILDINGS AND WE DIDN'T HAVE SMOKE DETECTORS DR. BO ARNOT IS A LONGTIME MEDICAL JOURNALIST AND AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE EXPERT, WHO TREATED EBOLA PATIENTS IN AFRICA. Passenger train operator Amtrak claims to cycle air through cabins 44 times an hour. The airport, for example, is usually an extremely busy place with people coming and going from all over, and passengers typically spend a long time cooped up together waiting for their plane. Due to safety reasons, the windows on Amtrak trains open only in case of emergencies, explains Kuhnen. So far on the journey, Id soaked in the wooded landscape of the Pacific Northwest, gluing myself to the window as we snaked through trees already painted with golden yellows, bright oranges, and fiery reds. As I approached the platform outside the sleeping car, I flashed my paperwork to a welcoming employee who managed to flash back a big smile, even with her face hidden behind a mask. At New York Penn Station, Amtrak installed new wayfinding signage and an Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation System in one of the Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning units in the Amtrak concourse, refreshed platforms and completed the second and final phase of the Ticketed Waiting Area refresh in conjunction with NJ TRANSIT. And, for a moment, everything felt normal again. 00:27 THESE ARE OUR MOST SOPHISTICATED INTERIOR SYSTEMS, AND THERE DESIGNED TO CYCLE AIR ON AVERAGE 44 TIMES AN HOUR 00:3 AMTRAK EVEN PUT OUT THIS VIDEO -- HIGHLIGHTING THEIR SYSTEM -- SOMETHING THE DOWNEASTER SAYS HAS BEEN HELPFUL FOR RIDERS. With COVID-19 reaching the most dangerous levels the U.S. has seen since the pandemic began, the country faces a problematic holiday season. Feb 28, 2023 (CDN Newswire via Comtex) -- The Global Ventilation Devices Market study has been announced by MarketQuest.biz for 2023-2029. Silverman is a travel agent, operating a Cruise Planners franchise from her home. When that happens, Amtrak could reach its potential to consistently outshine the experience of driving a car from Detroit to Chicago with lower costs, less time and more convenience not to mention no fear of getting a dreaded three-figure parking ticket in Chicagoland. Everything Id read so far about riding Amtrak in the time of COVID-19 seemed to rank long-distance train travel as safe, smart, and dare I say even relaxing. This finding assumes the infected passenger is wearing a surgical mask, however, and it does not account for the dangers involved in removing the mask for meals or talking or in moving about on the plane. Thanks for reading Scientific American. In the dining car people wouldnt wear a mask while they were actively eating, but it seemed like they would use eating just like on planes as an excuse to keep their mask off.. Although no mode of public transportation is completely safe, there are some concrete ways to reduce risk, whether on an airplane, train or busor even in a shared car. I also bring my own pillow. Our timing was impeccable and lined up with the sunset. Time: How much of it will you be spending in a place where you could get infected? "Two of our new buses have an air purification, a U.V. The doctors say the upper limit of any building you would want to be in would be around 800 PPM, measured by CO2 meters that are available online and in most home improvement stores for around $100. Additionally, Amtrak now shows the capacity of its trains online as people shop for tickets, which may help customers choose emptier options. Those measures dont guarantee risk-free travel on board. Amtrak officials documented the late arrivals with detailed records of freight train interference, showing a chronic problem of passenger trains being forced to wait while freight trains crawled ahead. Doing so allows outside air to flood in each time the doors open. I wanted to determine if my experience was more the exception or the norm. Siemens says these SC-44 Charger locomotives have a top speed of 125 mph, although they cant roll nearly that fast just yet between the Motor City and the Windy City. Amtrak has canceled about two dozen trains, blaming bad weather and COVID-19 cases among workers. He has also been recommending face shields to patients. 15 people were likely infected with COVID-19 in-flight, study modeled the risk of in-flight infection, novel coronavirus tore through New York City, asked several international transportation agencies, report by the American Public Transportation Association, Environmental Protection Agency recommends them, Sorry, UFO Hunters--You Might Just Be Looking at a Spy Balloon, AI Outraces Human Champs at the Video Game Gran Turismo, The Pandemic's Mental Toll, and Does Telehealth Work? A representative is available by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide information regarding railroad operating matters. (BOARDING) THEY SAY RIDERS CAN ALSO EXPECT PLENTY OF FRESH AIR ON BOARD AS WE HEAD INTO SUMMER. "Almost no cases came from somebody touching something -- all the time and effort spent washing when it should have been ventilation, number one, and masks, number two.". Theres not enough data on either to say which is safer, but the same risk factors are at play. There seemed to be less risk of transmission, however, for people who were seated near windows and doors that could open. Amtrak's ridership hit an all-time record nationwide in 2019, then skidded by about 90% in April when cases of COVID-19 began soaring. While many parts of my experience failed to meet my expectations, there were others that exceeded them. "Cambridge University says it is the best overall indicator of whether or not you have fresh air in that room or not.". On Jan. 25, a test train with no passengers pulled new coaches from Chicago to Pontiac, then back again to Chicago on Jan. 26. (The results were published this month in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.) "Youll have much more control over your environment and you can go a long way without being in contact with other people. Travel tips you can trust. With flying, COVID risk really comes down to how closely one sits to other people and for how long, whether or not everyone is wearing a mask, and how infectious any passengers are at the time. "And that has really been something that I think has given people a sense of comfort.". Follow her on Twitter @tanyalewis314Credit: Nick Higgins, Amanda Montaez is an associate graphics editor at Scientific American. That [risk] could be mitigated and reduced with mask use, but its still possible [to become infected].. Finally, experts suggest that limiting the length of a ride can also be helpful: 15 minutes on a subway is safer than a multihour train trip. Some bus companies have installed clear partitions between drivers and passengers. Dont let them spoil a trip. She noticed more thorough sanitation on her Portland-to-Chicago route, and less mask enforcement from Chicago to Boston. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. The 14 Most Scenic Train Rides in the U.S. 31 Romantic Weekend Getaways to Book on a Budget, From Oprah Daily for Orangetheory Fitness, safest way to travel is via your own two feet, Bill Miller, an epidemiologist at The Ohio State University, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. Amtrak, which serves more than 500 destinations in 46 states and three Canadian provinces, also offers a unique class of service that might especially appeal to travelers in the COVID-19 era: private rooms. 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