UPDATE
Irizar releases international
solutions to combat the virus on
public transport
The Irizar Group keeps accelerating its capacity for innovation
with the goal of contributing to the reactivation of the public
transport sector and promoting safe and sustainable collective
mobility. It is not without need that they are providing solutions
developed for buses and coaches to fulfill the safety and
hygiene measures for preventing the spread of the virus on
public transport.
Smart camera for access control
The access control camera is a smart system located at the
vehicle’s entrance. Its goal is to keep passengers who show
symptoms or who do not follow the COVID-19 protocols from
boarding the vehicle. It is equipped with a body temperature
sensor that measures the temperature of the passengers and
signals when it is above 37°C. And it also has artificial vision
cameras that can be used to detect whether passengers are
wearing masks. The complete process is done automatically and
in real time.
When a passenger has a fever or is not wearing a mask the
system will make a signal alerting them that they may not board
the vehicle and the driver can act proactively without needing
supervision to follow the established health protocol.
These cameras do not record the personal data of passengers
in order to comply with privacy requirements.
The device provides the possibility to be integrated with the
fleet manager provided by Irizar in its product catalogue for the
purpose of doing monitoring and managing the recorded Covid-19
incidents quickly and easily.
Automatic vehicle disinfection without passengers on board
This consists of installing a fixed outlet on the vehicle that
connects to an external device through a nozzle and, with a
pneumatic nebulizer system, it can completely disinfect the vehicle
through the air automatically without any passengers present in
30 minutes.
This technological solution, homologated by the Ministry of
Health, can be controlled through industrial or programmable
interfaces and it is activated from outside the vehicle with minimal
handling and without requiring access to the cockpit.
The nebulizing process lasts between 15 and 30 minutes
and requires a wait of three to four hours before the coach can
be accessed.
Some of its specific characteristics that should be mentioned
are its ease of use, wide versatility and adaptability to the needs of
every vehicle.
Separation screens in the driver’s area and dividing panels in
passenger seats
Irizar is providing operators with separation screens for drivers
and easy to install dividing panels for seating to provide protection
for both drivers and passengers.
Both solutions, designed for the Irizar model i3le, Irizar i4, Irizar
i6 and Irizar i6S coaches, have been developed and manufactured
with materials that meet the requirements of the laws in force
regarding indirect vision (R. 46), interior fitting (R. 107), fire
performance (R. 118) and energy absorption (R. 80).
Eco3 air purification
The Eco3 air purifier is a device that drastically decreases mould,
bacteria, virus, volatile organic compounds, allergens, etc. and it
prevents foul odors. Its functionality is based in generating negative
ions and ozone in the appropriate proportions and increasing the
concentration of oxygen to eliminate odors to maintain healthy levels
and keep the air inside the vehicle from becoming contaminated.
It is installed in the return of the climate control system of any new
or currently in use bus or coach regardless of the manufacturer. The
turbines in the device are what distributes the ozone through the
interior of the vehicle to contribute to disinfection.
In contrast to other cleaning and disinfection systems, Eco3 is
designed to do its job with passengers on board and when the vehicle
is moving. This solution has been widely tested on the market and its
efficiency has been endorsed by SGS, a global leader in inspection,
verification, testing and certification.
On the other hand, it should be noted that using the climate control
systems installed on the buses and coaches also contribute to
preventing the contagion of infections though bio-aerosols, because
they have air renewal systems that guarantee a complete renewal of
the air inside every 3 to 6 minutes. The air renewal can be increased if
the renewal gates are kept completely open. With open nozzles, there
is a vertical flow of air from above to below at a velocity that impedes
cross contagion between passengers. And with the nozzles closed,
the design of the nozzles generates a “bubble” or “canopy” effect
around passengers that creates a barrier to bio-aerosols created
around them.
Irizar continues innovating and providing transport operators and
health authorities solutions that guarantee they can meet the rules
established and that provide safety to move forward into the future of
sustainable collective mobility.
BYD reopens Lancaster plant
BYD (Build Your Dreams), a major manufacturer of zero-emission
vehicles and a major employer in Los Angeles County, announced
it has implemented stringent safety protocols and begun a phased
reopening of its Lancaster Coach and Bus manufacturing plant.
As it reopens, BYD will continue to follow guidelines for safe
operations set by California, Los Angeles County, and the City of
Lancaster while ramping up production of all-electric transit buses and
motor coaches that meet stringent Buy America standards.
“The health and safety of our employees and our community is our
top priority,” said Stella Li, BYD North America president. “The systems
we have implemented here will serve to protect our workers and the
citizens of our entire community.”
As it reopens, BYD said it is focused on the safety of its workforce,
many of whom are members of the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and
Transportation (SMART) Union, Local 105. The company’s Human
BUSRIDE.COM | 11