AMENDED
Staff Report #1
June 30, 2021
To All Commissioners
Re: Implementation of PHI Cell Technology on LTC Fleet
Recommendation
That the Commission:
- APPROVE IN PRINCIPLE the supply and installation of PHI Cell Technology on the LTC fleet; and
- DIRECT administration to undertake a request for quotation process and bring back a recommendation at a future meeting.
Background
Early into the onset of the global pandemic, administration created a Pandemic Response Plan which breaks down the path to recovery into three primary phases:
- Resolve – assess issues as they arise in an effort to maintain services;
- Resiliency – reassess decisions made in the Resolve phase and implement practices and policies that will ensure resiliency going forward as the pandemic situation continues to evolve; and
- Rebuild – establish a transit system that has responded to the challenges created by the pandemic and its lasting effects including shifts in ridership patterns, levels and expectations; public health expectations relating to the safety of employees and riders; availability of funding from all levels of government; and community priorities
The resolve phase of the plan remained active through the first half of 2020, as administration worked to respond in real-time to issues as they arose, with the underlying objective of keeping LTC employees and riders as safe as possible while continuing to operate the public transit services.
Mid-way through 2020, as restrictions eased after the first wave, the organization transitioned into the resiliency phase, revisiting policies and practices put in place during the resolve phase to ensure they continued to be applicable given changes in public health policy and guidance as more definitive details were understood with respect to the COVID-19 virus. As more was understood about the manner in which the virus was being transmitted, focus became more heavily directed toward mitigating opportunities for virus spread via airborne particles versus contact with surfaces.
The approval of the 2021 Conventional Service Plan represented an initial piece of the rebuild phase of the plan, noting the primary objective of the approved changes is to make the transit system as a whole more convenient to more Londoners. It is hoped this approach will not only help to get pre-pandemic riders back on the service, but may also attract new riders for whom the service was not considered a viable option in the past. While these improvements will make the conventional service more convenient and accessible, it will not address the concerns that have been raised with respect to the potential close contact that riders may experience on transit, and the related safety concerns while the virus is still circulating in the community.
Throughout the pandemic period, administration has continued to monitor industry best practices and solutions that have been developed in response to the challenge of keeping public transit systems operating safely for both employees and riders through a pandemic.
The product being recommended for approval in principle for installation on the LTC fleet is based on a PHI (Photohydroionization®) Cell which produces continuous low dose airborne hydroperoxide (H2O2) generated via UV catalytic advanced oxidization technology. This solution is based on proven technology that is in use with over 4 million units in service over a 20-year history.
As set out in the report recommendation, subsequent to the Commission’s approval in principle to proceed with this initiative, administration will undertake a request for quotation process and bring a recommendation for a contract award to a future Commission meeting.
Recommended by:
Mike Gregor, Director of Finance
Craig Morneau, Director of Fleet & Facilities
Concurred in by:
Kelly S. Paleczny, General Manager