Travel Hub Research Articles

How does shared mobility impact metro-based urban commercial travel accessibility and Equity?

The integration of shared mobility services, such as bike-sharing and ride-hailing services, with metro systems enhances the effectiveness and convenience of urban mobility. Various transportation modes significantly impact the accessibility and equity of commercial travel for the purpose of shopping, entertainment, tourism, and catering, due to the diversity of options, destinations, and origins. This study, based on the primary urban regions of Chengdu in 2023, employs the Gaussian two-step floating catchment area model, Gini Index, and Lorenz curve to examine the effects of shared mobility on the accessibility pattern and spatial equity of commercial services. It shows that the bike-sharing-metro travel mode enhances overall commercial accessibility, whereas the ride-hailing-metro travel mode has a substantial impact on accessibility distribution. Additionally, the commercial accessibility distribution pertains to the arrangement of commercial establishments in short-distance travel, whereas it exhibits a central hub and peripheral locations for long-distance travel. While the equity of commercial services improves effectively, metro transportation remains situated at the core of the transportation mode. The creation of the metro transit-oriented development should thoroughly assess the impact of shared mobility on the station area and prioritize the equilibrium between urban commercial and residential sectors.

Usefulness of aircraft and airport wastewater for monitoring multiple pathogens including SARS-CoV-2 variants.

As global travel resumed in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) endemicity, the potential of aircraft wastewater monitoring to provide early warning of disease trends for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants and other infectious diseases, particularly at international air travel hubs, was recognized. We therefore assessed and compared the feasibility of testing wastewater from inbound aircraft and airport terminals for 18 pathogens including SARS-CoV-2 in Singapore, a popular travel hub in Asia. Wastewater samples collected from inbound medium- and long-haul flights and airport terminals were tested for SARS-CoV-2. Next Generation Sequencing was carried out on positive samples to identify SARS-CoV-2 variants. Airport and aircraft samples were further tested for 17 other pathogens through quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The proportion of SARS-CoV-2-positive samples and the average virus load was higher for wastewater samples from aircraft as compared with airport terminals. Cross-correlation analyses indicated that viral load trends from airport wastewater led local COVID-19 case trends by 2-5 days. A total of 10 variants (44 sub-lineages) were successfully identified from aircraft wastewater and airport terminals, and four variants of interest and one variant under monitoring were detected in aircraft and airport wastewater 18-31days prior to detection in local clinical cases. The detection of five respiratory and four enteric viruses in aircraft wastewater samples further underscores the potential to expand aircraft wastewater to monitoring pathogens beyond SARS-CoV-2. Our findings demonstrate the feasibility of aircraft wastewater testing for monitoring infectious diseases threats, potentially detecting signals before clinical cases are reported. The triangulation of similar datapoints from aircraft wastewater of international travel nodes could therefore serve as a useful early warning system for global health threats.

Genomic surveillance during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic - country experience and lessons learned from Türkiye.

Türkiye confirmed its first case of SARS-CoV-2 on March 11, 2020, coinciding with the declaration of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequently, Türkiye swiftly increased testing capacity and implemented genomic sequencing in 2020. This paper describes Türkiye's journey of establishing genomic surveillance as a middle-income country with limited prior sequencing capacity and analyses sequencing data from the first two years of the pandemic. We highlight the achievements and challenges experienced and distill globally relevant lessons. We tracked the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in Türkiye from December 2020 to February 2022 through a timeline and analysed epidemiological, vaccination, and testing data. To investigate the phylodynamic and phylogeographic aspects of SARS-CoV-2, we used Nextstrain to analyze 31,629 high-quality genomes sampled from seven regions nationwide. Türkiye's epidemiological curve, mirroring global trends, featured four distinct waves, each coinciding with the emergence and spread of variants of concern (VOCs). Utilizing locally manufactured kits to expand testing capacity and introducing variant-specific quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) tests developed in partnership with a private company was a strategic advantage in Türkiye, given the scarcity and fragmented global supply chain early in the pandemic. Türkiye contributed more than 86,000 genomic sequences to global databases by February 2022, ensuring that Turkish data was reflected globally. The synergy of variant-specific RT-qPCR kits and genomic sequencing enabled cost-effective monitoring of VOCs. However, data analysis was constrained by a weak sequencing sampling strategy and fragmented data management systems, limiting the application of sequencing data to guide the public health response. Phylodynamic analysis indicated that Türkiye's geographical position as an international travel hub influenced both national and global transmission of each VOC despite travel restrictions. This paper provides valuable insights into the testing and genomic surveillance systems adopted by Türkiye during the COVID-19 pandemic, proposing important lessons for countries developing national systems. The findings underscore the need for robust testing and sampling strategies, streamlined sample referral, and integrated data management with metadata linkage and data quality crucial for impactful epidemiological analysis. We recommend developing national genomic surveillance strategies to guide sustainable and integrated expansion of capacities built for COVID-19 and to optimize the effective utilization of sequencing data for public health action.

Epidemiological and Genomic analysis of Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolated from imported travelers at the port of Shanghai, China (2017-2019)

BackgroundVibrio parahaemolyticus is the predominant etiological agent of seafood-associated foodborne illnesses on a global scale. It is essential to elucidate the mechanisms by which this pathogen disseminates. Given the existing research predominantly concentrates on localized outbreaks, there is a pressing necessity for a comprehensive investigation to capture strains of V. parahaemolyticus cross borders.ResultsThis study examined the frequency and genetic attributes of imported V. parahaemolyticus strains among travelers entering Shanghai Port, China, between 2017 and 2019.Through the collection of 21 strains from diverse countries and regions, Southeast Asia was pinpointed as a significant source for the emergence of V. parahaemolyticus. Phylogenetic analysis revealed clear delineation between strains originating from human and environmental sources, emphasizing that underlying genome data of foodborne pathogens is essential for environmental monitoring, food safety and early diagnosis of diseases. Furthermore, our study identified the presence of virulence genes (tdh and tlh) and approximately 120 antibiotic resistance-related genes in the majority of isolates, highlighting their crucial involvement in the pathogenesis of V. parahaemolyticus.ConclusionsThis research enhanced our comprehension of the worldwide transmission of V. parahaemolyticus and its antimicrobial resistance patterns. The findings have important implications for public health interventions and antimicrobial stewardship strategies, underscoring the necessity for epidemiological surveillance of pathogen at international travel hubs.

A Monte Carlo approach for capacity and delay analyses of multiple interacting airports in Istanbul metroplex

AbstractThe Istanbul metroplex airspace, home to Atatürk (LTBA), Sabiha Gökçen (LTFJ), and Istanbul (LTFM) international airports, is a critical hub for international travel, trade and commerce between Europe and Asia. The high air traffic volume and the proximity of multiple airports make air traffic management (ATM) a significant challenge. To better manage this complex air traffic, it is necessary to conduct detailed analyses of the capacities of these airports and surrounding airspace. In this study, Monte Carlo simulation is used to determine the ultimate and practical capacities of the airport and surrounding airspace and compare them to identify any differences or limitations. The traffic mix, runway occupancy time and traffic distribution at airspace entry points are randomised variables that directly impact airport and airspace capacities and delays. The study aims to determine the current capacities of the runways and routes in the metroplex airspace and project the future capacities with the addition of new facilities. The results demonstrated that the actual bottleneck could be experienced in airspace, rather than runways, which was the focus of the previous literature. Thus, this study will provide valuable insights for stakeholders in the aviation industry to effectively manage air traffic in the metroplex airspace and meet the growing demand.

Suitability of aircraft wastewater for pathogen detection and public health surveillance

International air travel is now widely recognised as one of the primary mechanisms responsible for the transnational movement and global spread of SARS-CoV-2. Monitoring the viral load and novel lineages within human-derived wastewater collected from aircraft and at air transport hubs has been proposed as an effective way to monitor the importation frequency of viral pathogens. The success of this approach, however, is highly dependent on the bathroom and defecation habits of air passengers during their journey. In this study of UK adults (n = 2103), we quantified the likelihood of defecation prior to departure, on the aircraft and upon arrival on both short- and long-haul flights. The results were then used to assess the likelihood of capturing the signal from infected individuals at UK travel hubs. To obtain a representative cross-section of the population, the survey was stratified by geographical region, gender, age, parenting status, and social class. We found that an individual's likelihood to defecate on short-haul flights (< 6 h in duration) was low (< 13 % of the total), but was higher on long-haul flights (< 36 %; > 6 h in duration). This behaviour pattern was higher among males and younger age groups. The maximum likelihood of defecation was prior to departure (< 39 %). Based on known SARS-CoV-2 faecal shedding rates (30–60 %) and an equal probability of infected individuals being on short- (71 % of inbound flights) and long-haul flights (29 %), we estimate that aircraft wastewater is likely to capture ca. 8–14 % of SARS-CoV-2 cases entering the UK. Monte Carlo simulations predicted that SARS-CoV-2 would be present in wastewater on 14 % of short-haul flights and 62 % of long-haul flights under current pandemic conditions. We conclude that aircraft wastewater alone is insufficient to effectively monitor all the transboundary entries of faecal-borne pathogens but can form part of a wider strategy for public heath surveillance at national borders.

Implementation of NAO Robot Maze Navigation Based on Computer Vision and Collaborative Learning.

Maze navigation using one or more robots has become a recurring challenge in scientific literature and real life practice, with fleets having to find faster and better ways to navigate environments such as a travel hub, airports, or for evacuation of disaster zones. Many methodologies have been explored to solve this issue, including the implementation of a variety of sensors and other signal receiving systems. Most interestingly, camera-based techniques have become more popular in this kind of scenarios, given their robustness and scalability. In this paper, we implement an end-to-end strategy to address this scenario, allowing a robot to solve a maze in an autonomous way, by using computer vision and path planning. In addition, this robot shares the generated knowledge to another by means of communication protocols, having to adapt its mechanical characteristics to be capable of solving the same challenge. The paper presents experimental validation of the four components of this solution, namely camera calibration, maze mapping, path planning and robot communication. Finally, we showcase some initial experimentation in a pair of robots with different mechanical characteristics. Further implementations of this work include communicating the robots for other tasks, such as teaching assistance, remote classes, and other innovations in higher education.

Genomic epidemiology of the Los Angeles COVID-19 outbreak and the early history of the B.1.43 strain in the USA

BackgroundThe severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused global disruption of human health and activity. Being able to trace the early outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 within a locality can inform public health measures and provide insights to contain or prevent viral transmission. Investigation of the transmission history requires efficient sequencing methods and analytic strategies, which can be generally useful in the study of viral outbreaks.MethodsThe County of Los Angeles (hereafter, LA County) sustained a large outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). To learn about the transmission history, we carried out surveillance viral genome sequencing to determine 142 viral genomes from unique patients seeking care at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Health System. 86 of these genomes were from samples collected before April 19, 2020.ResultsWe found that the early outbreak in LA County, as in other international air travel hubs, was seeded by multiple introductions of strains from Asia and Europe. We identified a USA-specific strain, B.1.43, which was found predominantly in California and Washington State. While samples from LA County carried the ancestral B.1.43 genome, viral genomes from neighboring counties in California and from counties in Washington State carried additional mutations, suggesting a potential origin of B.1.43 in Southern California. We quantified the transmission rate of SARS-CoV-2 over time, and found evidence that the public health measures put in place in LA County to control the virus were effective at preventing transmission, but might have been undermined by the many introductions of SARS-CoV-2 into the region.ConclusionOur work demonstrates that genome sequencing can be a powerful tool for investigating outbreaks and informing the public health response. Our results reinforce the critical need for the USA to have coordinated inter-state responses to the pandemic.

Stroke in Airplane Passengers: A Study from a Large International Hub

IntroductionStroke in air travelers is being increasingly recognized. We report on stroke among passengers arriving at or transiting through a busy air travel hub. MethodsThe stroke database of the sole tertiary care center for stroke in a large busy international hub was interrogated. Demographic data of transit passengers, their stroke risk factors, stroke severity, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), acute stroke interventions, discharge status and outcome utilizing the Modified Raking scale (mRS) were retrieved and compared between passengers and non-passenger controls. ResultsForty-three flight-related stroke patients were compared to 2564 non-passenger stroke patients. The mean age in the flight-related stroke group was 59.53±10.83 years, 30/43 (69.8%) were males. The stroke subtypes were ischemic in 30 (69.8%) patients, hemorrhagic in 9 (20.9%), and transient ischemic attack in 3 (7.0%), with one cerebral sinus venous thrombosis (2.3%). The mean NIHSS score was 7.79±6.44 in passengers, demonstrating moderate severity. Ten patients (23.3%) received thrombolysis, one (2.3%) received thrombectomy, and one (2.3%) received both thrombolysis and thrombectomy. Outcomes, 54.8% had a good outcome (mRS 0-2), and 45.2% had dependence/death (mRS 3-6). ConclusionAir passengers with stroke were found to be older with more severe strokes and a higher probability of receiving acute stroke treatment compared to non-passengers. Increased awareness with appropriate and timely recognition and triaging of transit passengers with stroke is warranted.

Exported cases were infected on the way: A conjecture derived from analysis on Hong Kong monthly exported COVID-19 cases

During this COVID-19 pandemic, imported cases have played the role of triggering outbreaks in their arrival city and exported cases are used to infer the infection risk in their departure city (Imai et al., 2020; Menkir et al., 2021). Hong Kong, as a hub of international travel, faced this situation in particular. However, we argue that in the current phase of the pandemic, the role of exported cases in inferring the infection risk in their departure city loses its power; we use Hong Kong, an international travel hub, as an example.

Implementation of Wireless P2.5 Full Color Led Display using HDWF4 Controller

Humanity’s dependence on signage and signalling persists across various settings and occasions, spanning from coordinating meeting times and locations to informing about transportation schedules. These notifications play a pivotal role in guiding society towards well-informed decisions, ultimately leading to an improved lifestyle. In the past, some notifications were delivered orally by town criers in rural areas. However, with significant technological advancements in towns and cities, such methods have become inadequate. Similarly, the traditional practice of sticking paper notices on wooden boards not only proves inefficient but also wasteful of valuable resources. Recognizing the significance of meeting our daily information needs in a timely and cost-effective manner, leveraging modern electronic and wireless technology becomes essential for achieving better socio-economic outcomes. Information is undeniably powerful, underscoring the paramount need for rapid and convenient dissemination of time-critical information. Considering this, the present project proposes the design and implementation of a Wireless P2.5 Full Colour LED Display Notice Board using the HDWF4 Controller. This cutting-edge display system aims to circulate vital information in public places, such as colleges, schools, offices, malls, travel hubs, and other establishments. By enhancing security systems and promoting awareness of emergency situations, potential dangers can be averted. This innovative design provides flexibility by enabling the display of messages on the P2.5 Full Colour LED module through a WiFi-controlled

Monitoring International Travelers Arriving in Hong Kong for Genomic Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2.

We sequenced ≈50% of coronavirus disease cases imported to Hong Kong during March–July 2021 and identified 70 cases caused by Delta variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The genomic diversity detected in Hong Kong was similar to global diversity, suggesting travel hubs can play a substantial role in surveillance.

Genetic Diversity of SARS-CoV-2 among Travelers Arriving in Hong Kong.

We sequenced 10% of imported severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infections detected in travelers to Hong Kong and revealed the genomic diversity of regions of origin, including lineages not previously reported from those countries. Our results suggest that international or regional travel hubs might be useful surveillance sites to monitor sequence diversity.

1222Estimating the causal effect of mobility on Dengue during the COVID-19 pandemic

1222Estimating the causal effect of mobility on Dengue during the COVID-19 pandemic

Mamalu Poepoe: Enhancing Hawaii’s Biosecurity Through Interagency Collaboration

Abstract Hawaii’s role as a hub for travel, commerce, and military transport is a major contributor to its vulnerability to invasive species incursions. Ports of entry, airports, and seaports, besides being important invasive species pathways are also sites that present the first opportunity for early detection and rapid response. Mamalu Poepoe is an interagency program to enhance invasive species detection at Hawaii’s main airports. The program brings together multiple state agencies including the Hawaii Departments of Transportation, Agriculture, Health, Land and Natural Resources, and the University of Hawaii. The program also collaborates with several projects under the University of Hawaii system such as the Hawaii Ant Lab and the Invasive Species Committees statewide. Priority target species in the program include: mosquitoes, the coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB: Oryctes rhinoceros Linnaeus), Africanized honeybees (AHB: Apis mellifera scutellate Lepeletier), and invasive ants. Mamalu Poepoe fills an important gap in surveillance at Hawaii’s airports and enhances the state’s ability for early detection and rapid response of species that can severely affect human health, our environment, and the economy through collaborative efforts.

TRAFFIC MODELING IN UAV/RPAS COMMUNICATION CHANNEL

This study is devoted to obtaining the traffic characteristics of communication channel between the Remotely Piloted Air System (RPAS) and the Base Station, the model of which was created in professional software NetCracker. The dependencies of dropped packets, message Travel Time (TT) and HUB Average Utilization on the Transaction Size (TS), the link bandwidth and the Bit Error Rate (BER) for different distribution laws of Time Between Transactions (TBT) were analyzed. It was observed that for smaller TBT the lower transaction size can be transmitted, which is true for all distributions. But the lowest percentage of packet loss is observed for the LogNormal distribution. Additionally, it was observed that the TT does not depend on the value of the TBT parameter with the Exponential or LogNormal distribution laws, which is not true for the Const law. Hub utilization does not exceed ≈ 20% for all distributions with 1 s TBT. Nevertheless, the maximal TS for LogNormal law is ten times bigger than for other laws. The transaction TT decreases with the transmission rate increase, and for T3 bandwidth it equals to 0.5 s approximately for all considered distributions. However, the smallest percentage of packet loss and HUB utilization is observed for the LogNormal law. The TT does not exceed 1 s for low BER values for all TBT distributions. Such numerical analysis allows us set up and change traffic parameters while observing the results under specified transmission modes.

Multiple early introductions of SARS-CoV-2 into a global travel hub in the Middle East

International travel played a significant role in the early global spread of SARS-CoV-2. Understanding transmission patterns from different regions of the world will further inform global dynamics of the pandemic. Using data from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a major international travel hub in the Middle East, we establish SARS-CoV-2 full genome sequences from the index and early COVID-19 patients in the UAE. The genome sequences are analysed in the context of virus introductions, chain of transmissions, and possible links to earlier strains from other regions of the world. Phylogenetic analysis showed multiple spatiotemporal introductions of SARS-CoV-2 into the UAE from Asia, Europe, and the Middle East during the early phase of the pandemic. We also provide evidence for early community-based transmission and catalogue new mutations in SARS-CoV-2 strains in the UAE. Our findings contribute to the understanding of the global transmission network of SARS-CoV-2.

Universal screening for SARS-CoV-2 infection: a rapid review.

Universal screening for SARS-CoV-2 infection: a rapid review.

Abstract IA15: Continuing cancer care through a coordinated disease outbreak response system

Abstract Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), resulting in COVID-19, imposes unprecedented challenges to health care systems globally. Delivering cancer care during COVID 19 is particularly challenging for several reasons. Cancer therapy is complex, and success is intricately linked to timely access to appropriate care. The cancer patient’s journey, which invariably involves multiple touchpoints and multiple set of specialists, increases the risk of virus transmission. Cancer patients on active treatment who developed COVID-19 infection are also at risk of increased morbidity and mortality. Currently, health care facilities are facing significant resource constraints both in terms of infrastructure and manpower as these resources are increasingly redeployed to COVID-19 facilities. The need for appropriate social distancing to reduce risk of infection puts further pressure on limited resources. These challenges disrupt cancer care and significantly impact the delivery holistic care from diagnosis to workup evaluation, treatment, surveillance, psychosocial support, palliative care, and research. Cancer centers around the world are struggling to develop a dynamic response with a strong focus on protecting patients with cancers and health care workers while simultaneously contributing efforts to combat COVID-19 in the community. Approaches adopted include appropriate triaging of patients with suspected symptoms, reconfiguring of outpatient journey and infrastructure leveraging on technology, introducing “segregated team models,” developing inpatient policies on staff and patient movement, ethically adapting treatment decisions in accordance to best available consensus guidelines developed by professional bodies such ASCO and ESMO, and proactive efforts to address the physical and emotional well-being of employees, among many others. Leadership is crucial and “command structures comprising multiple stakeholders” are instituted to provide early coordination of institution-wide efforts as well as to consolidate and centralize all information disseminated to staff, patients, and the public. Of paramount importance, successful restoration and continuation of care requires a “whole-of-government, whole-of-society” approach to combat COVID-19 beyond its impact on health. Best government practices in containment strategies, leadership in coordinating the entire health care sector, effective communication, and building trust are key for health care institutions to operate effectively in this pandemic. Singapore, a densely populated city-state of 5.7 million and a global travel hub, is particularly vulnerable to the importation of communicable disease and was one of the earliest countries to detect COVID-19 in January 2020. Having experienced severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003, Singapore enhanced its pandemic preparedness response and these measures are now being put to the test. This presentation describes the coordinated approach adopted by the National Cancer Centre Singapore within the framework of a National Disease Outbreak Response System to combat COVID-19. We were able to avoid nosocomial SARS-2 COV-2 transmissions among patients and staffs without compromising on cancer care. This COVID-19 pandemic also presented unique learning opportunities and an impetus to radically transform cancer care delivery going forward. Citation Format: Lim Soon Thye. Continuing cancer care through a coordinated disease outbreak response system [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Meeting: COVID-19 and Cancer; 2020 Jul 20-22. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2020;26(18_Suppl):Abstract nr IA15.

Reflecting on COVID-19: The Hong Kong Experience of Flattening the Curve Without Lockdown.

Reflecting on COVID-19: The Hong Kong Experience of Flattening the Curve Without Lockdown.