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Effect of Train-Induced Wind on the Transmission of COVID-19: A New Insight into Potential Infectious Risks

Author

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  • Simin Zou

    (School of Civil Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China
    Natiaonl Engineering Laboratory for High Speed Railway Construction, Changsha 410075, China
    Joint International Resarch Laboratory of Key Technology for Rail Traffic Safety, Changsha 410075, China
    Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Disaster Prevention and Mitigation of Rail Transit Engineering Structure, Changsha 410075, China)

  • Xuhui He

    (School of Civil Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China
    Natiaonl Engineering Laboratory for High Speed Railway Construction, Changsha 410075, China
    Joint International Resarch Laboratory of Key Technology for Rail Traffic Safety, Changsha 410075, China
    Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Disaster Prevention and Mitigation of Rail Transit Engineering Structure, Changsha 410075, China)

Abstract

The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has caused a traffic tie-up across the world. In addition to home quarantine orders and travel bans, the social distance guideline of about six feet was enacted to reduce the risk of contagion. However, with recent life gradually returning to normal, the crisis is not over. In this research, a moving train test and a Gaussian puff model were employed to investigate the impact of wind raised by a train running on the transmission and dispersion of SARS-CoV-2 from infected individuals. Our findings suggest that the 2 m social distance guideline may not be enough; under train-induced wind action, human respiratory disease-carrier droplets may travel to unexpected places. However, there are deficiencies in passenger safety guidelines and it is necessary to improve the quantitative research in the relationship between train-induced wind and virus transmission. All these findings could provide a fresh insight to contain the spread of COVID-19 and provide a basis for preventing and controlling the pandemic virus, and probe into strategies for control of the disease in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Simin Zou & Xuhui He, 2021. "Effect of Train-Induced Wind on the Transmission of COVID-19: A New Insight into Potential Infectious Risks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:15:p:8164-:d:606931
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