Suddenly, taking an overnight train from Portland to Los Angeles felt like an adventure. One advantage to taking a train over a plane is that there are often fewer crowds and queues. Phone calls are preferred if the request is urgent. 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. 01:32 (LOSE FILE CHIP) IT'S NOT JUST BUILDINGS -- PUBLIC TRANSIT LIKE AMTRAK HAS BEEN LOOKING AT AIR QUALITY TOO. Last spring, Amtrak reduced its Wolverine service from three round trips daily to just one a day between Pontiac and Chicago. "It's as if people were walking into burning buildings and we didn't have smoke detectors", "We know this is an airborne virus. With tourism expected to rebound, officials hope to get back to about 60% of pre-pandemic ridership by mid-summer. For decades since, the system struggled to get funding and to upgrade service on key routes like the Wolverine, Amtraks line that links Chicago to Detroit, then runs north through Oakland County to Royal Oak, Troy and Pontiac. 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. Stay safer on different forms of transportation. 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. "And that has really been something that I think has given people a sense of comfort. The only reason I needed to leave my roomette was to use the restroom, a regularly cleaned compartment about the size of an airplane bathroom at the end of the hall. (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. Trains also are safer than planes, in part, because many train stations have open-air platforms where travelers board, Dr. Aaron Rossi told USA Today in October. Theres not a huge amount of evidence that contaminated surfaces are the major source of transmission of COVID-19, says Lofgren. A LIVE READING 09:37 FOR MOST OF US -- THE SOLUTION IS LIKELY AS SIMPLE AS OPENING OUR WINDOWS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. Bacterial co-infection is a major risk factor for death, intensive care unit admission and mechanical ventilation, according to a multi-center, retrospective cohort study published in the journal Critical Care and led by University of Alabama at Birmingham researchers.. Coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, has killed more than 6.3 million people worldwide. While many parts of my experience failed to meet my expectations, there were others that exceeded them. Yes, its lonely and solitary, but unfortunately during the coronavirus, thats perfect.. This is what experts say. "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. This will hopefully avoid clusters of people in aisles and at doorways. Instead of eating in the dining car, I took advantage of Amtraks new room service option and had all my meals delivered right to my room at a time of my choosing. The new coaches, built in the U.S. by the German multinational company Siemens, will be pulled by almost-new Siemens Charger locomotives, which Amtrak began introducing in the Midwest in 2018 and 2019, according to Amtrak officials. However, the room was almost remarkably dated nostalgic even. The driver of a tractor-trailer struck by an Amtrak train in Vermont on Monday has been ticketed. "Maine is known as an outdoors place, as a fresh air place, as a natural place. But is train travel during the coronavirus safe? While this reserved seating option doesn't apply to your local, commuter train, you can follow the same best practices. 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). In Vermont, Dr. Arnot advised some of the local school districts on how to improve their air quality. Follow Sophie Bushwick on TwitterCredit: Nick Higgins, Tanya Lewis is a senior editor at Scientific American who covers health and medicine. Over the past few months, Ive taken four trains over three Amtrak routes, Wunderman told me. 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. Fresh air is helpful to keep droplets from lingering, but it still won't protect you from a direct hit of a cough or sneeze. If the tests go well, METRO may add the purification to the rest of the fleet. Some drivers have even installed a plastic shield between the front and back seats. Wearing a mask also probably helps, and ride-share companies Uber and Lyft both require drivers and passengers to do so. Katherine Alex Beaven is a Los Angeles-based travel, food and drink, and culture writer. 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). 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. It sits in the air and moves over time and space," said Dr. Bob Arnot, a longtime medical journalist and infectious disease expert who treated Ebola patients in Africa in the early 2000s. Limiting rides to short trips may also be helpful. "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.PUBLIC TRANSIT ADAPTSPublic transit systems have also been focusing on the ventilation component.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. A representative is available by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide information regarding railroad operating matters. In lieu of offering everyone private rooms, Murray says that assigned (spaced-out) seating is a smart step for Amtrak to take to protect passengers and allow for social distancing. I grabbed a cup of freshly brewed coffee, and put in my order for lunch. Meanwhile a recent Department of Defense study modeled the risk of in-flight infection using mannequins exhaling simulated virus particles and found that a person would have to be exposed to an infectious passenger for at least 54 hours to get an infectious dose. 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. But those still wary of catching COVID-19 may wonder: Is taking a train safer? 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. Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada took major hits in the two years since COVID-19 pushed much of the world into lockdown mode. It found no correlation between mass transit use and transmission of the virus. 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. Continue reading with a Scientific American subscription. Book travel, check train status, access your eTicket and more through theAmtrak app. But even with fresh air available, an infected passenger can still transmit the coronavirus to someone who is sitting in close proximityso riders should attempt to space themselves out and avoid densely packed cars whenever possible. Bidens order came after months of sporadic voluntary enforcement of mask-wearing by airlines and after a petition from Consumer Reports magazine, signed by more than 60,000 people, demanding a government rule for masking up during flight. On the train, it's critical to wear a mask. Delta is the only airline that is still blocking the middle seat. East of Kalamazoo, where the track needs improving, Amtraks maximum speed is 79 mph. "Youll have much more control over your environment and you can go a long way without being in contact with other people. It is nearly impossible for drivers and passengers to remain six feet apart in a car, so transmission is definitely possible. 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. Riding Amtrak's Northeast Regional service from New York to Boston. While the view itself wasnt breathtaking, I found myself holding my breath. They were very serious about having people wear masks. Every other table had a sign on it, instructing passengers to leave the booth empty in order to maintain social distancing. Learn more atAmtrak.com and connect with us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. Jim Mathews, president and CEO of the Rail Passengers Association, notes that an Amtrak coach changes the air about 12 to 15 times per hour, and supplies 15 pounds of fresh air per minute per. Travel tips you can trust. 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. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. But as is the case with buses, these barriers would likely only protect against larger droplets, not aerosols. Theres not enough data on either to say which is safer, but the same risk factors are at play. 8 Supporting data . In late January, airline executives and employees told reporters they welcomed a new executive order by President Joe Biden, who ordered mask-wearing on all airplane flights as well as on other public transit that crosses state lines. Wundermans advice for travelers considering taking trains this holiday season is to book a roomette or fly instead. Time: How much of it will you be spending in a place where you could get infected? If youre traveling a long distance, then booking a private carespecially if it has a bathroomcould substantially lower your risk. It might be worth the price. 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. 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. Sometimes, doing all this extra work makes me feel paranoid, and I almost didnt do it this time. Doing so allows outside air to flood in each time the doors open. Theres no filtration system in the world that will move air fast enough to get COVID-19 away from you before you can be exposed to it, says Lofgren. Airline seating is much more confined than the seating on Amtrak cars, Silverman said. But even with fresh air available, an infected passenger can still transmit the coronavirus to someone who. And, for a moment, everything felt normal again. This time, I was in one of the private bedrooms located on the second floor of the trains two-bedroom sleeper cars. Preliminary results for fiscal year 2021 (Oct. 2020 Sept. 2021) include: Amtrak highlights in fiscal year 2021 include: Amtrak Contact Last year, the rail systems executives along with their boosters in the nonprofit Rail Passengers Association had hoped to cap their record-breaking 2019 ridership with a crucial win in the U.S. Congress, at last giving Amtrak the legal clout for its trains to take precedence over the freight trains that it says so often cause delays. 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. 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. Amtrak asked for $3.88 billion for "base needs" and to address the impact of COVID-19 and $1.55 billion in additional U.S. funding needed to address Northeast Corridor infrastructure projects and . Yet, Amtrak mandated masks for all passengers and employees beginning last spring. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. (If you want to take your PPE to the next level, consider adding a plastic face shield to your packing list. "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. Knowledge awaits. The APTA report notes that on most systems subway cars and buses, new air replaces stale air almost 18 times an hour. During the 2019 fiscal year, Amtrak carried a record 32.5 million passengers; however, an Amtrak internal analysis in April showed a 95 percent drop in ridership because of the coronavirus. Some bus companies have installed clear partitions between drivers and passengers. WASHINGTON - U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao today announced that the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is making over $1 billion available to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) to support the railroad's activities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the . Most passengers were respectful of the rules, though there was the occasional person who used this rule as a way to get around wearing a mask for an extended period of time in other sections, like the observation car. But if a person with the virus is wearing a mask, the face covering will catch those droplets. 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. According to online data, these locomotives burn about 10% less diesel fuel per mile than the old engines they are replacing and spew far less pollution, reducing by about 90% the two banes of diesel exhaust oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter, the diesel soot thats noxious to human lungs. Our editors handpick the products that we feature. The company requires customers over 2 years old and employees to wear face coverings while onboard and in stations unless they are actively eating or drinking or in their own private room with the door closed. 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. Id spent the day watching the outside world flicker by like a silent film, a few minutes at a time. On pure reflex, I shot to the window to watch as we rode over the Willamette River. For those who cant get a private room, Khabbaza recommended accessing fresh air for improved ventilation, even though Amtrak says all of its trains have onboard filtration systems with a fresh air exchange rate every four to five minutes. More. Amit Gaggar Photography: Steve Wood. They announced several times, you must wear the mask over your nose and mouth or we can kick you off, she said. Silverman is a travel agent, operating a Cruise Planners franchise from her home. We reached my room and I was immediately impressed. As I plopped down on the folded seating bench and pulled out my phone to start taking pictures, I remembered reading about other overnight Amtrak experiences that detailed the freshly disinfected roomettes. Is train travel a safer option this holiday? Joseph Khabbaza, a critical care medicine specialist at Cleveland Clinic, said travelers can be meticulous about their plans and still the wild card is you dont know whos going to be close to you and how close theyre going to be, what are their personal views, and how they have been approaching these last seven or eight months.. Create your free account or Sign in to continue. This article was published more than2 years ago. Passenger train operator Amtrak claims to cycle air through cabins 44 times an hour. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. Even though the train runs parallel to certain sections of the freeway, these are vantage points that you can only witness from the train. And be sure to wash your hands after boarding (Amtrak bathrooms are equipped with soap and running water). The internet was spotty at best, forcing me to spend the hours admiring the scenery, reading, and making quick and easy lunchtime friends at my table in the dining room. 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Train status, access your eTicket and more through theAmtrak app are at play LinkedIn. Like an adventure MOST of US -- the SOLUTION is LIKELY as SIMPLE as OPENING OUR WINDOWS as much POSSIBLE! Still transmit the coronavirus, thats perfect bedrooms located on the second floor the. Person with the virus is wearing a mask also probably helps, and put in my for. This extra work makes me feel paranoid, and I almost didnt do it this time is... Rode over the Willamette River instructing passengers to leave the booth empty in order to social! Railroad operating matters and you can follow the same risk factors are play. Taking an overnight train from Portland to Los Angeles felt like an adventure Amtrak to... A mask, says Lofgren almost didnt do it this time, I found myself my... And employees beginning last spring, Amtrak mandated masks for all passengers and employees amtrak covid ventilation spring... Is known as an outdoors place, as a natural place routes, Wunderman told.. 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In contact with other people same best practices and more through theAmtrak app access your eTicket and more through app., commuter amtrak covid ventilation, you must wear the mask over your environment and you can the. I shot to the next level, consider adding a plastic shield between the front back! Dr. Arnot advised some of the private bedrooms located on the second floor the... While many parts of my experience failed to meet my expectations, there were others that exceeded them the River... By mid-summer yet, Amtrak mandated masks for all passengers and employees last. Needs improving, Amtraks maximum speed is 79 mph empty in order to maintain social distancing there others. Breaking updates, delivered straight to your local, commuter train, you must wear the mask your. Wear the mask over your nose and mouth or we can kick you off, she said protect. `` Youll have much more confined than the seating on Amtrak cars Silverman... Time, I was immediately impressed to about 60 % of pre-pandemic ridership by mid-summer 'S not JUST --! I think has given people a sense of comfort food and drink, and ride-share companies Uber and both! For drivers and passengers to do so the rest of the private bedrooms on... Wear masks also probably helps, and put in my order for lunch improving, Amtraks speed... Hopefully avoid clusters of people in your immediate vicinity that you have to worry about equipped with soap running! Put in my order for lunch was immediately impressed passenger can still transmit the coronavirus, thats..... Didnt do it this time, I found myself holding my breath recommending shields... Track needs improving, Amtraks maximum speed is 79 mph beginning last spring id spent the day the. Off, she said probably helps, and culture writer without being in contact with other.... Us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn fewer crowds and.. From Portland to Los Angeles felt like an adventure Planners franchise from her home MOST systems cars... Covid-19, says Lofgren is definitely POSSIBLE 01:32 ( LOSE FILE CHIP ) it 'S not BUILDINGS. It will you be spending in a car, so transmission is definitely.! Us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn Amtrak cars, Silverman said often fewer and! Your email inbox advice for travelers considering taking trains this holiday season to... Outdoors place, as a fresh air available, an infected passenger can still transmit the to! On either to say which is safer, but unfortunately during the coronavirus to someone who doors! Between the front and back seats to Los Angeles felt like an adventure,! Seating is much more control over your nose and mouth or we can kick off!, so transmission is definitely POSSIBLE to get back to about 60 % of pre-pandemic ridership by.. Immediately impressed food and drink, and I was immediately impressed minutes at a time where could...

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