Barcelona Metro pilots AI-powered ventilation system to curb COVID-19 – a smart ventilation system is being trialled on Barcelona’s metro network to maximise fresh air, regulate temperature and humidity and help stop the spread of coronavirus.
Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) is piloting the RESPIRA system from SENER Engineering. The artificial intelligence (AI) platform reads the temperature, humidity, air quality and electricity consumption in metro stations in real-time. An algorithm combines this data with information such as the weather forecast and expected occupancy levels to predict environmental conditions at the stations and accordingly program the operation of each fan to regulate temperature and energy consumption.
TMB says intelligent control of the ventilation will also bring the maximum amount of fresh air inside, which will increase hygiene and “reduce the risk of proliferation of COVID-19 and various microorganisms, in accordance with the guidelines of the health authorities”. The system could also support predictive maintenance.