Spanish Bus & Coach Irizar is continuing to raise passenger confidence and protect against coronavirus in the return to public transport with a range of new innovations.  Two new products allow operators to screen passengers automatically prior to boarding, and to disinfect vehicle interiors between shifts.

A smart camera system that can be mounted in the vehicle entrance screens passengers for abnormally high temperature, and ensures that they are wearing a face-mask if required. The camera can detect temperatures of above 37 degrees, and uses smart technology to detect the presence of a mask. People without masks, or who are running a fever, can be prevented from boarding the vehicle and endangering other passengers.  No personal data is recorded, and the system does not breach privacy laws.

Vehicle interiors can now be disinfected rapidly and safely between shifts. A permanently-installed outlet on the vehicle is connected to an external nebulizer device that fills the vehicle interior with a disinfectant steam flow. The operative does not need to enter the vehicle at any time during this process, which is fully automated. Dosing the vehicle takes between 15 and 30 minutes, and it can be used again in three or four hours.

These two innovations join existing systems already developed by Irizar Group in response to the coronavirus crisis it has already developed an approved interior separation and screening system for its i4, i6, i6S and i8 coaches, which isolate and protect passengers and drivers from the circulation of airborne viruses.

It also offers the Eco3 ionizer, which can be fitted to any coach equipped with air-conditioning. This releases negative ions and ozone into the interior airflow of the coach, causing virus-bearing particles to fall out of suspension, and attacking the viruses themselves. Eco3 also reduces odours, and the levels of microbes, spores and allergens, in the coach interior.

Irizar also suggests that the risk of viral transmission can be reduced on any coach by constantly running air-conditioning or climate-control systems with inlets fully open. The climate control system optimises air flow within the saloon, enhancing passenger comfort, and preventing the spread of infection by renewal of the air every 3 to 6 minutes.  Air flow nozzles in the convenience panel above the passengers provides for individual climate comfort control, whilst air renewal gates above the luggage rack ensures a constant top-down flow of clean air. If passengers open the individual ventilation nozzles above them, the vertical air flow will also reduce the risk of cross-contagion between them.