The Influence of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Mobility Patterns: The First Wave's Results

The present study focuses on the relationship between the Covid-19 pandemic and mobility patterns. By using data from an international survey, transport users' socio-demographic features and travel characteristics during the pre-pandemic and pandemic time are analyzed.Afterward, the pandemic commuting travel behavior is modeled. The multinomial model shows that public transport users are 31.5, 10.6, and 6.9 times more likely to change their commuting transportation mode than car users, motorcycle users, and walkers, respectively. The results demonstrate that travel distance and income level are the two most influential factors in pandemic decision-making. These results confirm the reflection of spatial-economic inequalities during the pandemic. Active modes, motorcycle, and personal car are perceived by the participants as the least risky urban transportation modes during the pandemic. Thus, a considerable growth in individual transportation modes, up to 26% increase for commuting and up to 15% for leisure activities, can be recognized.

Automated summary

The study found that public transport users are more likely to change their commuting mode during the pandemic, with travel distance and income level being key factors in pandemic decision-making. Walking, motorcycle, and personal car are perceived as the safest urban transportation modes during the pandemic, leading to a significant increase in individual transportation modes.