On October 15, we demonstrated our first ever 3‑Stage Air Filtration and Purification System for trains in a partnership with air filtration and HVAC companies Knorr/Merak.
MTA Metro-North is the first transit agency in North America to test the new technology meant to filter and purify air inside rail cars using an electrical field, and to generate a wave of ionized particles that destroy airborne viruses, bacteria and particulate matter, including COVID‑19.
The pilot follows a successful proof-of-concept conducted by Metro-North over the summer. The air filtration and purification system is incorporated into the railroad’s existing ventilation system. It enhances in-car air filtration — and exceeds CDC standards for certain medical facilities and far surpasses standards for classrooms and restaurants.
About one-third of the air traveling through the ventilation system is fresh air pulled from above the roof of the cars.
In October, the technology was installed in an M7 train set. Testing should be completed by the end of 2020.