Since the start of the pandemic, users have been more reluctant to use shared modes of transport, for fear of contamination. In public transport, ridership has only recovered to 70% of its pre-crisis level. Aware of this new concern, the sector has developed innovations to protect passengers.
Historically, transport has contributed to the spread of disease. In 1348, a black plague epidemic began in China. In a few months, Genoese merchants import the disease into Europe. This epidemic then claimed around 30 million people, or between a third and half of the European population at the time.
At the time, several weeks, even several months were necessary for diseases to pass from one continent to another. Now, rapid means of transport allow them to cover these distances in just a few hours, a phenomenon accelerated by urban proximity and demographic growth.
In 2003, China had already experienced an epidemic linked to a coronavirus, SARS-CoV, which had killed 811 people around the world, a then colossal toll.
Since then, and with the Covid-19 pandemic, the expertise of carriers in cleaning has greatly improved. In addition to the manual disinfection of surfaces in public transport, manufacturers are working on innovative solutions to protect and reassure passengers. Thus, to avoid touching the bars in public transport, Alstom has developed a completely contactless solution.
“We have developed a concept of small personal handles that attach to the bars to keep you upright, and avoid touching them directly. We also have nebulization treatments, to spray inside a space a substance similar to a spray, which cleans all surfaces “, precise Anne Bigand, Director of Alstom Passenger Experience
And bactericidal or virucidal coatings are also in development.
According to Vincent Feuillie, medical consultant at Air France, the risk of contamination by viruses and bacteria in the passenger compartment of an aircraft remains very limited. Indeed, the air is renewed very regularly and circulates from top to bottom. This prevents viruses and bacteria from dispersing and being breathed in by nearby passengers.
“In an airplane, the air is renewed every 2 to 3 minutes, with 50% of the air coming from the outside and 50% which is filtered by mechanisms that trap 99.99% of bacteria or viruses. This device is a protective barrier equivalent to social distancing in an ordinary environment. “
In private cars, health risks may still exist for old cars which only allowed dust and fine particles to be stopped, without acting on viruses and bacteria.
Manufacturers like the French Valeo, leader in this field, offer solutions that allow the passenger compartment to be completely secure. “With the coronavirus pandemic, we have developed filters that guarantee to block all these viruses on contact with the filter surface. This is the number 1 option that consumers have been asking for since the pandemic “, highlighted Pascale Herman, Director of Innovation at Valeo.
Another innovation, sensors that can analyze the vigilance of passengers, their state of fatigue, or if they have a fever. Laboratory tested, this device has been used to perform Covid diagnostics. And the results are promising: the reliability of this system is similar to PCR tests, without having any contact with the passenger. A method that is undoubtedly more pleasant than a swab in the nose!
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