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Challenges for urban transport policy after the Covid-19 pandemic: Main findings from a survey in 20 European cities

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  • Christidis, Panayotis
  • Navajas Cawood, Elena
  • Fiorello, Davide

Abstract

This article explores the changes in transport and mobility patterns that were triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as citizens’ potential new expectations arising from this situation regarding public transport policy and urban planning. We conducted an extensive survey in 20 cities across 11 European countries during the second quarter of 2021, with a total of 10000 respondents. The information that we collected covered the change in the frequency of technology-based alternatives to travel -such as teleworking and online shopping-compared to the pre-pandemic period. It also included the change in trip frequency, purpose, mode and destination. Using the survey dataset as input, we applied a classification model that explains the change in mode choice based on the respondent characteristics and preferences. Our findings suggest that the changes in mobility patterns induced by the pandemic are the result of the combination of the degree of mobility restrictions imposed in each city, the adoption of new lifestyle and work patterns, and individual choices that depend on personal risk aversion. We identify three main challenges for urban transport policy: the increasing use of car that can reinforce long-term car dependency, the avoidance of public transport that may lead to financial and operational instability, and the uncertainty as regards the future of innovation in urban transport, especially as regards emerging technologies and business models.

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  • Christidis, Panayotis & Navajas Cawood, Elena & Fiorello, Davide, 2022. "Challenges for urban transport policy after the Covid-19 pandemic: Main findings from a survey in 20 European cities," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 105-116.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:trapol:v:129:y:2022:i:c:p:105-116
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tranpol.2022.10.007
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    2. Vega-Gonzalo, Maria & Gomez, Juan & Christidis, Panayotis, 2023. "How has COVID-19 changed private car use in European urban areas? An analysis of the effect of socio-economic characteristics and mobility habits," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    3. R. M. Faber & M. Hamersma & J. Brimaire & M. Kroesen & E. J.E. Molin, 2024. "The relations between working from home and travel behaviour: a panel analysis," Transportation, Springer, vol. 51(6), pages 2173-2197, December.
    4. Edyta Przybylska & Marzena Kramarz & Katarzyna Dohn, 2023. "The Role of Stakeholders in Creating Mobility in Logistics Systems of Polish Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-25, January.
    5. Xu, Ningzhe & Nie, Qifan & Liu, Jun & Jones, Steven, 2024. "Linking short- and long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on travel behavior and travel preferences in Alabama: A machine learning-supported path analysis," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 46-62.
    6. Farha, Farzana Faiza & Shanto, Farabi Sarker & Khan, Fyrooz Anika & Mehrin, Maria & Khan, Asif & Tabassum, Nawshin & Nakshi, Paromita, 2024. "Exploring the changes in travel behavior between the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Dhaka," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 24-35.
    7. Wang, Yu & Choudhury, Charisma & Hancock, Thomas O. & Wang, Yacan & Ortúzar, Juan de Dios, 2024. "Influence of perceived risk on travel mode choice during Covid-19," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 181-191.
    8. Zsigó Zsanett, 2023. "Methodologies for Measuring Mobility in Covid-19 Research," Economic and Regional Studies / Studia Ekonomiczne i Regionalne, Sciendo, vol. 16(2), pages 186-202, June.
    9. Chiriboga, Gonzalo & Chamba, Rommel & Garcia, Andrés & Heredia-Fonseca, Roberto & Montero- Calderón, Carolina & Carvajal C, Ghem, 2023. "Useful energy is a meaningful approach to building the decarbonization: A case of study of the Ecuadorian transport sector," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 76-87.

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