The agency has contracted with Rutgers Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT) to study effectiveness of the UVC wavelength in killing viruses as well as electronically mapping the interior of different bus models to determine the best placement for the UVC source, officials said. The study will be done over the next few months.
NJ Transit is the third metro area transit agency to either deploy or investigate UV technology. NYC Transit was the first agency to use UV technology in May to disinfect subway car and bus interiors by deploying 150 units in a pilot program that was reviewed by Columbia University, accord to MTA officials.
PATH also is investigating use of UV light to sanitize its fleet of rail cars, officials said. Now both PATH and NJ Transit use disinfectants and sanitizers and concentrate efforts on place people frequently touch.
“NJ Transit is always looking to be on the cutting edge of technology,” said Kevin Corbett, NJ Transit President and CEO in a prepared statement. “As we prepare for our customers’ return to the system, it is incumbent upon us to explore every cleaning and disinfecting option available.”
NJ Transit is testing continuous emission lighting, which is a a slightly different UVC wavelength than the pulse lighting used by the MTA, NJ Transit officials said.
NJ Transit and Rutgers study will examine the effectiveness of the UVC wavelength in killing viruses and electronically map the interior of different bus models to determine the best placement for the UVC source. Those findings would determine the best way to implement the technology on NJ Transit’s bus fleet.
Ultraviolet-C treatment is done when equipment is out-of-passenger service, officials said.
In non-transit uses, UVC has killed viruses in other applications, including hospital operating rooms, urgent care clinics, universities, and fire stations, according to MTA officials.
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