ITS and the swine flu

Yesterday there was an article in the the Swedish newspaper DN about how public transport provider Veolia is preparing for the anticipated swine flu outbreak this fall. As personal mobility increases, both at a global and local level, the possibility for viruses to spread becomes much greater. In what ways could ITS solutions help combat future (assuming we survive this one :)) outbreaks of infectious diseases?

Public transportation planning
By improving the predictability of public transportation travel times ITS would reduce the time spent waiting for public transportation and hopefully also reduce the time spent on such transportation, effectively reducing the infection risk.

Autonomous personal vehicles
Individualized driverless transportation in urban areas would reduce the need for common public transports, limiting the exposure to possible infection. Exposure of public transport staff would be eliminated. However, shared transport vehicles could lead to indirect exposure through surfaces like door handles, control panels etc.

Driver monitoring and information technologies
Already today cars can tell if you are drowsy or if you are driving recklessly. The step to having the vehicle assess your overall health status is not that far. Connect this sensory capability to a recommendation system and your car could tell you "Perhaps you should stay at home today, seems like you have a fever". If sufficient integrity and anonymity checks are in place maybe the car manufacturers will be the best source of information regarding flu spread.

Today: Volvo Drowsy Driver Alert

Tomorrow?