So how does this translate into overall risk? 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. Feb. 28, 2023, at 5:33 p.m. Tractor-Trailer Driver Ticketed in Collision With Train. Additionally, Amtrak now shows the capacity of its trains online as people shop for tickets, which may help customers choose emptier options. (FILE CHIP UP) SOME SCHOOLS -- LIKE IN GORHAM -- HAVE USED CARES ACT MONEY TO INSTALL THE C-0-2 SENSORS (CG: HEATHER PERRY, GORHAM SCHOOLS) 01:26 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." HE SAYS -- WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE AIR QUALITY OF THE SPACES WE'RE WALKING INTO. And at any given meal time, I found that only three out of five tables were ever occupied. However, the room was almost remarkably dated nostalgic even. However, too often, freight operators ignore the rule, according to Amtrak. "Cambridge University says it is the best overall indicator of whether or not you have fresh air in that room or not.". One such innovation is the expansion of reserved seating on Acela trains. Over Thanksgiving weekend, the Transportation Security Administration reported a massive bump in travelers passing through airports, and AAA predicted nearly 50 million people would be traveling by car. Linda and her boisterous charm bid me adieu, promising to return to show me around my new digs after she was able to meet, greet, and guide her other sleeping car passengers to their rooms. Companies have also implemented rigorous cleaning procedures between flights. I noticed signage stating that passengers and staff must wear masks at all times unless in the privacy of their own rooms had replaced Amtrak promotional posters on the walls. Reliable data on the frequency of COVID transmission in cars is lacking, however. If you have a FOIA request, please clickhere. 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. In my pre-pandemic life, I traveled for work two to three times a month a far cry from the one-mile radius I had confined myself to in Brooklyn between March and August. The folding lounge bench and viewing seat were made of a fabric similar to what youd find on an airplane. Bring disinfectant wipes to clean the surfaces in your area, like the armrests and tray tables. Gina Suh, head of the Mayo Clinics travel clinic, says train travel isnt too dissimilar from air travel. And be sure to wash your hands after boarding (Amtrak bathrooms are equipped with soap and running water). 5hr 10min late. Travel on Amtrak to Virginia Wine Expo at the Main Street Station in Richmond, Va. Besides COVID-19,. I grabbed a cup of freshly brewed coffee, and put in my order for lunch. Those measures dont guarantee risk-free travel on board. METRO has partnered with the University of Southern Maine to carry out the tests on those devices. 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 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. He has also been recommending face shields to patients. My lunch was delivered right as we entered my favorite stretch of the journey, when the scenery of central California expanded with the wineries of Paso Robles, then surrounded us on all sides with mountains. All of those situations increase your risk of coming into contact with the virus and picking it up. Amtrak hopes this slower stretch of track, owned by MDOT since 2012, can be upgraded by the end of 2022. With COVID-19 reaching the most dangerous levels the U.S. has seen since the pandemic began, the country faces a problematic holiday season. Create your free account or Sign in to continue. 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. There seemed to be less risk of transmission, however, for people who were seated near windows and doors that could open. AMTRAK Covid-19 Practices Puts Passengers and Workers at Risk News provided by. Amtrak. 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. It wasnt. 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. 202 906.3860. While the view itself wasnt breathtaking, I found myself holding my breath. A number of subway and train systems use lower-rated MERV filters that are still capable of at least reducing the volume of coronavirus in the air. UPDATE: Train 178 is back on the move and currently operating approx. A representative is available by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide information regarding railroad operating matters. But even with fresh air available, an infected passenger can still transmit the coronavirus to someone who. If you happen to be seated close to a person who is actively shedding the virus, especially if it is a long flight or that person is not wearing a mask, there is a higher chance that you will get the disease. SHARON, Vt. (AP) The driver of a tractor-trailer that was hit by an Amtrak train on Monday has been . This left a total of five dining tables open (all of which must be reserved for a specific time in advance). I also bring my own pillow. Your Health Quickly, Episode 1, COVID Poses Severe Risks during Pregnancy, Especially in Unvaccinated People, Survivors of Deadly Earthquakes Must Deal with Lasting Trauma, A New Map Tracks the World's Largest Glaciers, The Most Compelling Science Graphics of 2022, See How Much Climate Change Has Cost Different Countries. He had the virus and infected 4 passengers. "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. Amtrak will restore traditional dining car service on six western routes and the Auto Train on June 23. Among . Despite the setback of the pandemic, riders can climb aboard not only what Amtrak touts as a safer mode of travel, but also one thats improving. "MEASURE THE AIRDr. Since then, ridership crept partway back to its. "There is a lot of exchange," said Patricia Quinn, executive director of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, which operates the Downeaster. The APTA report notes that on most systems subway cars and buses, new air replaces stale air almost 18 times an hour. "Maine is known as an outdoors place, as a fresh air place, as a natural place. Passengers traveling by Amtrak also must submit a health questionnaire, answering questions such as whether they have experienced COVID-19 symptoms within 24 hours of departure. On Jan. 25, a test train with no passengers pulled new coaches from Chicago to Pontiac, then back again to Chicago on Jan. 26. Texas Eagle Train 21 which departed Chicago (CHI) on 2/27, is currently being delayed in Taylor (TAY) due to law enforcement activity ahead. As the sun set on my first day, I was ready to call it a night. The driver of a tractor-trailer struck by an Amtrak train in Vermont on Monday has been ticketed. Amtrak passengers can now see how full their train will be upon booking amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Jan. 14, 2022. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. Private Rooms Passenger train operator Amtrak claims to cycle air through cabins 44 times an hour. And keeping conversation to a minimum could also reduce the danger because talking is known to release aerosols that can spread the virus. 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. An onboard filtration system continuously refreshes the space every four to five minutes, removing air from the car's interior and replacing it with new, conditioned, external air. In fact, we have a full-time medical. Places like Washington State have already mandated live CO2 readings for restaurants, as a way to try to mitigate the virus risk. Unfortunately, roaming around the train is a bad idea right nowand for the foreseeable future. "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.". Though it was a shared space . For decades, improvements crept at the pace of a freight train inching through a switchyard. "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." To maximize space between passengers and manage flow, Amtrak is encouraging customers to arrive 30 minutes before departure (60 minutes if they need ticketing or baggage assistance). At most, it cuts transmission substantially. He recommends only removing your mask to eat or drink. Explore our digital archive back to 1845, including articles by more than 150 Nobel Prize winners. Amtrak doesnt directly make that claim on its website. METRO launched a joint website with regional transit systems to provide information to riders about safety protocols. 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 more stories like this, sign up for our newsletter. SO THERE IS A LOT OF EXCHANGE 09:34 AND THAT HAS REALLY BEEN SOMETHING I THINK THAT HAS GIVEN PEOPLE A SENSE OF COMFORT 09:39 ("METROBUSAIRPURIFICATION) METRO IS TESTING OUT HIGH- TECH PURIFICATION SYSTEMS ON BOARD THEIR NEW BUSES. Amtrak typically makes track announcements between 10 and 15 minutes before departure, and I wanted to get a good seat. Many transit companies have established frequent cleaning routines, but evidence suggests that airborne transmission of the novel coronavirus poses a greater danger than surfaces. Continue reading with a Scientific American subscription. Running on normal schedules are Amtraks other Michigan trains the Blue Water service that links Chicago to Battle Creek, Lansing, Flint and Port Huron; and the Pere Marquette between Chicago and Grand Rapids. 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.. Public transit systems have also been focusing on the ventilation component. 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. Thats far less risky than the indoor settings of airport security lines and waiting areas where passengers gather and sit before boarding. Passport wait times are up again. In Michigan, a clear example is a batch of recently upgraded locomotives and soon-to-arrive, new passenger cars. What Is Normal When It Comes to Menopause? However, Amtrak doesnt allow passengers to open windows any longer because of safety regulations and the central air conditioning. I love autumn, so this was a huge deal and a big surprise I relished every turning leaf, knowing it was the only glimpse of fall foliage I'd get this year. (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. But if you are seated relatively far from others, and everyone is wearing a mask, your risk is probably fairly low. A traveler tested negative for covid-19 before a flight. Knowledge awaits. Amtrak will continue to play an important role in the national transportation network for the next 50 years and beyond by operating a safe, environmentally efficient and fiscally responsible business by providing travelers with an experience that sets a new standard. (Air travel was also down by 96 percent). (CG: DENISE BECK, GREATER PORTLAND METRO) 04:04 TWO OF OUR NEW BUSSES HAVE AN AIR PURIFICATION, A UV LIGHT FILTER -- AND WE ARE TESTING THAT. light filter, and we are testing that," said Denise Beck, Marketing and Community Outreach Manager for Greater Portland METRO. The great newsfrom an epidemiological, safety, and comfort standpointis that Amtrak is limiting bookings on reserved trains, which will allow for more physical distancing in seating areas. Hi, there, she said before getting surprisingly excited. On pure reflex, I shot to the window to watch as we rode over the Willamette River. "Two of our new buses have an air purification, a U.V. Increased Amtrak Police Department presence in stations and onboard trains to help enforce the federal transportation mask mandate. "It's not to measure whether you have too much carbon dioxide as any kind of a toxin," Dr. Arnot said. While many parts of my experience failed to meet my expectations, there were others that exceeded them. 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. 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. "And that has really been something that I think has given people a sense of comfort. Federal law says freight trains must yield to passenger trains when both want to use the same track. If the rate of community transmission in your region is low, chances are that taking the occasional taxi or ride-share car is not a huge riskprovided you wear a mask and keep the windows open as much as possible. 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. 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