SARS-CoV-2 aerosol risk models for the Airplane Seating Assignment Problem

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 between passengers on airplanes is a significant concern and reducing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 or other viruses aboard aircraft could save lives. Solving the Airplane Seating Assignment Problem (ASAP) produces seating arrangements that minimize transmission risks bet...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of air transport management 2022-03, Vol.99, p.102175-102175, Article 102175
Main Authors: Pavlik, J.A., Ludden, I.G., Jacobson, S.H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air travel
COVID-19
Discrete optimization
Public health
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Summary:Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 between passengers on airplanes is a significant concern and reducing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 or other viruses aboard aircraft could save lives. Solving the Airplane Seating Assignment Problem (ASAP) produces seating arrangements that minimize transmission risks between passengers aboard an aircraft, but the chosen risk model affects the optimal seating arrangement. We analyze previous risk models and introduce two new risk models, masked and unmasked, based on previous experiments performed aboard real aircraft to test aerosol dispersion of SARS-CoV-2 sized particles. We make recommendations on when each risk model is applicable and the types of seating arrangements that are optimal for each risk model. •SARS-CoV-2 may be transmitted between passengers on airplanes.•Aerosol models for SARS-CoV-2 can be used to reduce risk in seating arrangements.•Different risk models lead to distinct types of optimal seating arrangements.•Passengers should always be spaced as far apart as possible to minimize transmission.
ISSN:0969-6997
1873-2089
DOI:10.1016/j.jairtraman.2021.102175