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Understanding Socioeconomic Disparities in Travel Behavior during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Rebecca Brough

    (Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities, University of Notre Dame)

  • Matthew Freedman

    (Department of Economics, University of California-Irvine)

  • David C. Phillips

    (Department of Economics, University of Notre Dame)

Abstract

We document the magnitudes of and mechanisms behind socioeconomic differences in travel behavior during the Covid-19 pandemic. We focus on King County, Washington, one of the first places in the U.S. where Covid-19 was detected. We leverage novel and rich administrative and survey data on travel volumes, modes, and preferences for different demographic groups. Large average declines in travel, and in public transit use in particular, due to the pandemic and related policy responses mask substantial heterogeneity across socioeconomic groups. Travel intensity declined considerably less among less-educated and lower-income individuals, even after accounting for mode substitution and variation across neighborhoods in the impacts of public transit service reductions. The relative inability of less-educated and lower-income individuals to cease commuting explains at least half of the difference in travel responses across groups.

Suggested Citation

  • Rebecca Brough & Matthew Freedman & David C. Phillips, 2020. "Understanding Socioeconomic Disparities in Travel Behavior during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Working Papers 192007, University of California-Irvine, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:irv:wpaper:192007
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • R41 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion; Travel Time; Safety and Accidents; Transportation Noise
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
    • H12 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Crisis Management

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