Buy tickets now

powerful ultraviolet lamps is used to disinfect  subways and buses in pilot project

 

The NYC Metropolitan Transportation Authority says it will deploy 150 mobile devices to clean subways, buses, and subway stations as part of the first phase of the pilot. The second phase will focus on MetroNorth and Long Island Rail Road commuter trains. The MTA says it will spend $1 million on the project, according to NY1.

Demonstration of UV disinfecting technology at the Corona Maintenance Facility on Tue., May 19, 2020. Photo: MTA New York City Transit
Demonstration of UV disinfecting technology – Photo: MTA New York City Transit

The effort is part of a partnership between the MTA and Columbia University, which theorizes that UV light can be used to kill diseases on the transit system. The MTA is using the devices during its nightly cleaning procedures, for which it took the unprecedented step of shutting down the entire subway system for four hours every evening.

“The UV light that will be used in the current overnight subway and bus disinfection program is very efficient in killing the virus that is responsible for COVID-19,” said David Brenner, director of Columbia University’s Center for Radiological Research, in a statement. “What we are doing here is reducing the level of the virus in subways, and therefore decreasing the risk of anybody catching COVID-19 on the subway.”

 


Photo: MTA New York City Transit
Photo: MTA New York City Transit

The dual-headed lamps were purchased from a Denver-based startup Puro Lighting, which says its UV lights “have efficacy against Class 2 and 3 viruses, including coronaviruses, SARS, Influenza and Ebola.”

The lamps emit rays called “UVC,” a relatively obscure part of the spectrum that consists of a shorter, more energetic wavelength of light that can be harmful to humans if exposed directly. The MTA says it will be following strict protocols “to ensure the safety of the employees and customers.”

UVC is particularly good at killing organic material — whether in humans or viral particles — and some experts believe it can be effective in destroying the novel coronavirus.

UVC lamps and robots are commonly used to sanitize water, objects such as laboratory equipment, and spaces such as buses and airplanes. If the MTA results are good, transit officials said they will expand the pilot to include more trains and buses.

The MTA has reported a 90 percent drop in ridership since the start of the pandemic — although those numbers are slowly improving as New Yorkers are starting to feel more confident riding public transit. Many essential workers still count on the MTA to get to and from work every day. So far, over 120 MTA employees have died from the virus.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

source: The Verge

Maker Faire Rome – The European Edition has been committed since eight editions to make innovation accessible and usable to all, with the aim of not leaving anyone behind. Its blog is always updated and full of opportunities and inspiration for makers, makers, startups, SMEs and all the curious ones who wish to enrich their knowledge and expand their business, in Italy and abroad.

Follow us, subscribe to our newsletter: we promise to let just the right content for you to reach your inbox

Promoted by
SUPPORTED BY
IN COLLABORATION WITH
with the support of
With the patronage of
in partnership with
Thanks to
in partnership with
Main Partner
Gold partner
Silver partner
Bronze partner
Cybersecurity Expert
Official Car
main media partner
media partner
MAIN MEDIA partner
press & digital
media partner
technical media partner
with the free patronage of
special thanks
licensed by
media partner
Technical media partner
PADEL TECHNICAL PARTNER
with the free patronage of

testimonials