Policy Research Institute for Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

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Research on measures against a new type of influenza, etc., in public transport(Report No.116)

Summary

In light of the release of the National Action Plan for Pandemic Influenza and New Infectious Diseases based on the enactment of the Act on Special Measures for Pandemic Influenza and New Infectious Diseases Preparedness and Response, this research investigates the direction of the measures to be taken in public transport during an outbreak of pandemic influenza or other new infectious diseases, from both “infection prevention” and “congestion mitigation” perspectives.

The overview of this research is as follows:
*Questionnaire survey of public transport operators and general companies on their preparedness of measures against an outbreak of pandemic influenza or other new infectious diseases.
*Simulation of railway congestion using a supposed timetable to be used in an epidemic peak, which is drafted based on the actual railway timetable.
*Investigative committee of academic experts (experts on traffic engineering, public health, business continuity and risk management), railway and bus operators, and relevant departments and divisions of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, etc., was held to investigate the infection prevention measures and congestion mitigation measures through the results of the above-mentioned questionnaire and simulation.

The direction of the measures to be taken in public transport during an outbreak of pandemic influenza or other new infectious diseases derived from the result of the above-mentioned research is summarized as below.

【Infection prevention measures】
The promotion of “cough etiquette” is a measure which should be implemented not only under an outbreak of pandemic influenza or other new infectious diseases but also under normal situations. Especially, public transport users with cough symptoms should be encouraged to wear a mask. Furthermore, with regard to the promotion of cough etiquette during an actual outbreak of pandemic influenza or other new infectious diseases, the characteristics of the infection, the congestion of the public transport, the supply of masks as well as the characteristics of each region should be given due consideration in deciding how to promote cough etiquette and the message conveyed through the cough etiquette promotion.

Since disinfection of public transport vehicles cannot be conducted very often and its effectiveness of preventing the infection is unclear, the disinfection measure should not be given a high priority at present. It is appropriate to consider it as a measure to be carried out when feasible based on the decision of respective public transport operators.

【Congestion mitigation measures】
In case of widespread of pandemic influenza or other new infectious diseases, railway users who cannot get on the train are expected to congest the station for several hours during morning commute. In order to maintain its social functions, public transport operators are required to consider developing a concrete operating plan for ensuring smooth transportation as much as possible.

With regard to general companies, companies should presume that many employees will not be able to arrive at work as usual due to the widespread of pandemic influenza or other new infectious diseases, and consider developing flexible working shifts and working systems.



Keywords

public transport, a new type of influenza

Publication

Augst 2014

Report

report(Japanese)(PDF:481KB)