"Ventilation is the way forward," says infectious disease doctor Abraar Karan of Stanford. .css-ssumvd{display:block;font-family:Gilroy,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:1.0625rem;font-weight:bold;line-height:1.25;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-ssumvd:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-ssumvd{letter-spacing:0rem;margin-top:0.9375rem;}}What Spiritual Leaders Read Before Bed, Three Effective Stretches for Shoulder Pain, Five Blessings for When You Just Cant Deal, Break These Sleep Rules for Better Rest Tonight, This Unique Form of Therapy May Change Your Life, How I Found Community at a Fitness Studio. However, she adds, I dont think many people realize that the trains have very sophisticated ventilation. An onboard filtration system continuously refreshes the space every four to five minutes, removing air from the cars interior and replacing it with new, conditioned, external air. UPDATE: Train 178 is back on the move and currently operating approx. Then, in 2009, Amtrak installed a new high-tech safety system on 97 miles of track it owns in western Michigan reaching into Indiana. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. 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). For homes and many businesses, the solution may be as simple as keeping all the windows open as much as possible. This summer, expect lots of open windows on the buses too to add extra ventilation, officials said. Rossi is a medical doctor in Pekin, Illinois, and CEO of Reditus Laboratories, a company that conducts COVID-19 testing. Media members should contact the Media Relations Office for their region (see the map and listings here). "Places like Washington State have already mandated live CO2 readings for restaurants, as a way to try to mitigate the virus risk.The data emerging from a handful of new research papers show that COVID-19 can build up in poorly ventilated spaces.In fact, a recent MIT study found the risk of being exposed to the coronavirus could be as great whether a person is 6 feet or 60 feet away if the air is mixed.That study went on to point out the potential threat existed even with a mask.WHAT TO DO AT HOME"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. Arnot said.For homes and many businesses, the solution may be as simple as keeping all the windows open as much as possible.More airtight locations would have to work with their HVAC systems to increase the fresh air intake to levels that would adequately lower the parts per million (PPM).MAKING CLASSROOMS SAFERSchools have been some of the first places to take a hard look at their ventilation. Even though the train runs parallel to certain sections of the freeway, these are vantage points that you can only witness from the train. Also, Magliari said: We have significantly more spacing (than airlines and buses) between our seats. Id spent the day watching the outside world flicker by like a silent film, a few minutes at a time. "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. In fact, Dr. Arnot said he thought the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention focused too much early in the coronavirus pandemic response on cleaning surfaces (including the 19% of Americans who put bleach on their food to kill coronavirus) and not enough on lowering transmission through good ventilation for indoor spaces. Offers may be subject to change without notice. If a window is able to be opened, that always helps getting droplets to disperse very quickly, making it very unlikely that they will make it to another person in enough of a concentration to transmit infection, especially if masking is enforced, he said. According to Amtraks website, it is limiting bookings on reserved trains to allow for more social distancing (family members may still sit next to each other) in addition to carrying out extensive deep cleaning and sanitizing of trains before service. 09:20 CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY SAYS IT'S THE BEST OVERALL INDICATOR OF WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE FRESH AIR IN THAT ROOM OR NOT 09:26 // BUTTED // 09:32 IN WASHINGTON STATE NOW IF YOU GOT TO A RESTAURANT YOU HAVE TO HAVE A CO2 READING. And keeping conversation to a minimum could also reduce the danger because talking is known to release aerosols that can spread the virus. Travel news, guides and tips for anyone looking to get away. Flynn asked for a predictable and long-term source of federal funding to continue modernizing the system. Helmet ventilation has been in use for 2 decades in certain countries, especially Italy; and its use has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many transit companies have established frequent cleaning routines, but evidence suggests that airborne transmission of the novel coronavirus poses a greater danger than surfaces. Those improvements allowed all Amtrak trains in that stretch to bump up their speeds. 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. Many of the cities in question required commuters to wear masks. At night, she saw passengers traveling in coach with masks down as they slept, and during the day, mask use seemed intermittent at best in communal areas. For decades, improvements crept at the pace of a freight train inching through a switchyard. Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. 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. For the buses, ridership is down about 60% from pre-pandemic levels. "And that has really been something that I think has given people a sense of comfort. Space: Do you have any personal space, do you have enough distance between you and others? 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. In fact, the whole room looked like what I would have expected to find in a first-class suite on an international flight back in the 1970s (if they made them this big). Those with medical conditions who cannot wear masks must wear a face shield as a substitute. At the same time, the rail service announced that it would begin strictly monitoring where passengers sit and how many board each car. So, whats holding back higher speeds across Michigan? Amtrak rider Erin Silverman of Bloomfield Hills got off the train on the night of Feb. 5 in Troy, after riding the rails all the way to and from Denver. "It's as if people were walking into burning buildings and we didn't have smoke detectors", "We know this is an airborne virus. The driver of a tractor-trailer struck by an Amtrak train in Vermont on Monday has been ticketed. U.S. passenger railroad Amtrak told a U.S. House of Representatives panel on Thursday it expects to be forced to temporarily cut some service in January because of a COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Its the people in your immediate vicinity that you have to worry about. He acknowledges that the joys of long-distance train travel include being able to wander around, pick up snacks at the dining car, and stretch your legs. If the tests go well, METRO may add the purification to the rest of the fleet. A post shared by Ali Wunderman (@aliwunderman). This time, I was in one of the private bedrooms located on the second floor of the trains two-bedroom sleeper cars. Yep, You Should Actually Get Outside for That Walk, 41 Cloth Face Masks You Can Buy Online Right Now, 50 Family Road Trips The Whole Gang Will Love, How To Deal With Uncertainty During Coronavirus. App users will also receive boarding gate and track information at select stations so they can head directly to their train. Since then, Amtrak has enhanced both its fleet and travel experiences to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. In fact, I had taken my inaugural journey on the bucket-list route back in early February, riding south from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo and then, a few days later, catching the train down again to the end of the line in Los Angeles. There are a lot of bottlenecks at the airport that make it hard to practice good social distancing, like the ticket counter, the baggage check, security checkpoints, and the boarding queue, says Eric Lofgren, PhD, assistant professor of epidemiology at Washington State University. A traveler tested negative for covid-19 before a flight. Our 50th year as a company is certainly a milestone, and we launched several hallmark initiatives as we embark on a new era for passenger rail, said Amtrak Board Chair Tony Coscia. Amtrak was created by the Congress in 1971 when the nations existing railroads said theyd no longer carry passengers. While the view itself wasnt breathtaking, I found myself holding my breath. Employees are also required to wear masks at all times, unless in their private rooms. 01:32 (LOSE FILE CHIP) IT'S NOT JUST BUILDINGS -- PUBLIC TRANSIT LIKE AMTRAK HAS BEEN LOOKING AT AIR QUALITY TOO. When the train is approaching your stop, avoid crowding near the door and pay attention to crew announcements advising customers how and where to exit the train. And be sure to wash your hands after boarding (Amtrak bathrooms are equipped with soap and running water). "Youll have much more control over your environment and you can go a long way without being in contact with other people. Still, Lofgren reminds us that we need to be vigilant about maintaining six feet of space. Fresh air is helpful to keep droplets from lingering, but it still wont protect you from a direct hit of a cough or sneeze. One unexpected highlight of my train trip was the food both tasty and filling. We talked to Amtraks corporate medical director, Ann Kuhnen, MD, as well as two epidemiologists about why these precautions matter, and what else you should know before booking a trip. Places like Washington State have already mandated live CO2 readings for restaurants, as a way to try to mitigate the virus risk. In fact, a recent MIT study found the risk of being exposed to the coronavirus could be as great whether a person is 6 feet or 60 feet away if the air is mixed. Amtrak will restore traditional dining car service on six western routes and the Auto Train on June 23. "With the sort of substandard masks most of us wear, if you don't have good ventilation, I just think you don't have a chance." Texas Eagle Train 21 which departed Chicago (CHI) on 2/27, is currently being delayed in Taylor (TAY) due to law enforcement activity ahead. "With the sort of substandard masks most of us wear, if you don't have good ventilation, I just think you don't have a chance.". Amtrak typically makes track announcements between 10 and 15 minutes before departure, and I wanted to get a good seat. 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.. But those still wary of catching COVID-19 may wonder: Is taking a train safer? I wanted to determine if my experience was more the exception or the norm. 7 In March 2020, the US Food and Drug Administration issued Emergency Use Authorizations to several manufacturers for helmet use in acute hypoxemic respiratory failure from COVID-19. Theres not a huge amount of evidence that contaminated surfaces are the major source of transmission of COVID-19, says Lofgren. It has less to do with germy surfaces than you think. SHARON, Vt. (AP) The driver of a tractor-trailer that was hit by an Amtrak train on Monday has been . Up until this point, all of my anxiety about traveling during a pandemic had managed to drown out something I hadnt even considered: the excitement of traveling. Curious what the rest of the train looked like, I put my mask back on and ventured out into the wild, opening the doors between cars by using the trains hands-free, foot-level release button. Katherine Alex Beaven is a Los Angeles-based travel, food and drink, and culture writer. Since then, ridership crept partway back to its pre-pandemic level while Amtrak operated fewer trains and strictly enforced social distancing in coaches that could carry twice as many passengers. Discover world-changing science. "It's not to measure whether you have too much carbon dioxide as any kind of a toxin," Dr. Arnot said. In theory, at least, traveling by train seems like a good compromise between taking a long car trip (with or without a portable potty) or getting on a disconcertingly crowded airplane. An alternative option for passengers in the coach class is to choose seats near train doors that open during stops. However, too often, freight operators ignore the rule, according to Amtrak. 2023 Scientific American, a Division of Springer Nature America, Inc. I noticed that on the Empire Builder, my attendant was frequently sanitizing the car, my roomette smelled of disinfectant when I boarded, and the conductor sounded very serious about policing passengers about wearing masks., She went on to say that she never saw a room attendant without a mask on, unless they were in their own room with the door closed and even then, they rushed to put on a mask before opening the door for her. Some bus companies have installed clear partitions between drivers and passengers. Dr. Arnot said he has submitted a proposal to the Biden Administration to mandate carbon dioxide meters in public indoor spaces like bars and restaurants. The collision occurred at an unguarded rail crossing on a section of Quarry Road that only serves . On the train, it's critical to wear a mask. Our customers trust Amtraks commitment to safety and are responding positively to the investments and improvements we are making, said Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn. Amtraks ridership hit an all-time record nationwide in 2019, then skidded by about 90% in April when cases of COVID-19 began soaring. In a letter dated Jan. 22, Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn, who took the top job last spring, sent a letter to each member of Congress, citing Amtraks 50th anniversary this year. Public transit systems have also been focusing on the ventilation component. More. METRO launched a joint website with regional transit systems to provide information to riders about safety protocols. Monitoring carbon dioxide levels, getting more fresh outdoor air in spaces key. This article was published more than2 years ago. But is train travel during the coronavirus safe? YOU CAN FI, With mask mandates and capacity limits lifting in Maine on May 24, some experts are warning we need to take a closer look at something they feel has been overlooked in this pandemic: the quality of the air we are sharing inside. 09:30 PLUS YOU KNOW THE TRAIN STOPS, THE DOORS OPEN. East of Kalamazoo, where the track needs improving, Amtraks maximum speed is 79 mph. Thanks for reading Scientific American. Solo travel can be risky. By the time I stepped onto the platform in Union Station this time in Los Angeles I was ready to go home, but already missing the train. Guidelines and suggestions only work if theyre enforced, and Amtrak has said that customers who refuse to wear a facial covering will be denied boarding, and those customers who still opt not to wear a facial covering will be provided with a full refund. 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. Since then, ridership crept partway back to its. "I think Maine is very well positioned," Quinn said. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. We now understand that smaller airborne particles can spread this virus, so employees are wearing face coverings, and were asking passengers to do so, too.. We reached my room and I was immediately impressed. Travel writer Ali Wunderman has taken a couple long-distance Amtrak trips during the pandemic, from Montana to the Bay Area in August and from Portland, Ore., to Chicago, then to Boston in September and October. 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. The need to extend safety systems and upgrade more track, officials said. Amtraks Coast Starlight is a Superliner, a fancy term that basically means its a double-decker train which, as I would find out, is great for views, but can get a little rocky in your private room. (Air travel was also down by 96 percent). Jan. 14, 2022. Successfully activated Positive Train Control on all required routes across the Amtrak system in advance of new regulations. Suddenly, taking an overnight train from Portland to Los Angeles felt like an adventure. Some Maine schools, like in Gorham, have used federal relief bill money to install upgrade their ventilation systems. However, the room was almost remarkably dated nostalgic even. Even worse, on the popular route from Chicago to Detroit to Pontiac, on-time performance occurred just 33% of the time. Widespread mask use is key, says Lofgren. AND YOU KNOW EVEN ALMOST MINUTE BY MINUTE. 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. This will hopefully avoid clusters of people in aisles and at doorways. 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