Perceived risk of infection while traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic: Insights from Columbus, OH

Abstract

The COVID-19 outbreak caused major disruptions on individuals’ out-of-home activities. Worldwide mandates to slow down the spread of the disease resulted in significant reductions in travel. This study analyzes the changes in individuals’ travel outcomes and their risk perceptions related to exposure and specific travel modes during the COVID-19 pandemic. We use data collected through an online survey with residents of Columbus, OH from April 30 to May 7, 2020. Employing multiple generalized estimating equations (GEEs) with a logit link function, we analyze the perceived risk of infection while traveling with different modes controlling for socio-demographics. The findings show that on average individuals are more likely to find shared modes (i.e., transit, ride-hailing, carsharing) riskier as compared to individual ones (i.e., walking, autos) when it comes to COVID-19 exposure. This study also suggests that the associations between perceptions related to exposure and various travel modes vary across groups with (1) different primary mode preferences (auto users vs non-auto users (e.g., transit users, bicyclists, etc.)), and (2) different socio-demographics. For example, auto users are more likely to find shared modes such as ride-hailing or transit riskier as compared to personal car. The conclusions present recommendations for future transportation policies in the post-COVID era. These include building upon the emerging positive perceptions towards non-motorized modes as an opportunity to promote sustainable transportation as well as formulating viable solutions to address the high-risk perceptions associated with transit.

Perceptions of the ethical permissibility of strict travel restrictions to mitigate transmission of SARS-CoV-2

“…This is consistent with research demonstrating substantial reduction in mobility ( Wellenius, et al, 2021 ) and use of “shared modes” of travel (e.g. public transportation, ride hailing, carshare) during the early months of the pandemic ( Ozbilen, et al 2021 ).…”

Travel Demand Prediction during COVID-19 Pandemic: Educational and Working Trips at the University of Padova

“…Nevertheless, besides the analysis about past changes due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the prediction of future travel habits in "new normal" conditions, when strict measures are relaxed and citizens can decide whether to perform a trip or not and are having to live with the virus [13,23], is fundamental for future transport system planning and policymaking [4,9]. Indeed, many variations in the travel behaviour of users are likely to be maintained in the future [4,14,26,47], thus defining a significantly different travel demand with respect to the pre-pandemic period [12,19,30]. Following this perspective, travel demand prediction is important, since, as previously described, a new greener mobility can effectively foster the sustainable development of cities [37].…”

Transport preferences and dilemmas in the post-lockdown (COVID-19) period: Findings from a qualitative study of young commuters in Dhaka, Bangladesh

“…In terms of public transit, capacity limits were often put in place and use was limited to essential travel only (Abdullah et al 2021; de Haas et al 2020 ), impacting the travel patterns of the public. While transport authorities often moved to limit capacity and use, personal fears of infection also led individuals to avoid using public transit, with a greater preference toward individual travel modes ( Das et al, 2021 ), including walking, cycling, motorcycles and the personal car, all of which were perceived as safer travel options during the pandemic compared to shared transportation modes (Dingil et at., 2021; Ozbilen et al, 2021 ). Conversely, public transportation was perceived as the most unsafe mode, with a higher risk of virus transmission ( Marsden and Docherty, 2021 , Ozbilen et al, 2021 , Shakibaei et al, 2021 , Arellana et al, 2020 , Pawar et al, 2020 ; Kolarova et al, 2021).…”

“…While transport authorities often moved to limit capacity and use, personal fears of infection also led individuals to avoid using public transit, with a greater preference toward individual travel modes ( Das et al, 2021 ), including walking, cycling, motorcycles and the personal car, all of which were perceived as safer travel options during the pandemic compared to shared transportation modes (Dingil et at., 2021; Ozbilen et al, 2021 ). Conversely, public transportation was perceived as the most unsafe mode, with a higher risk of virus transmission ( Marsden and Docherty, 2021 , Ozbilen et al, 2021 , Shakibaei et al, 2021 , Arellana et al, 2020 , Pawar et al, 2020 ; Kolarova et al, 2021). Additionally, COVID-19’s economic impacts may have forced commuters to rely on less costly mode options ( Litman, 2020 , Zafri et al, 2021a ).…”