Changes in local travel behaviour before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong. (May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Nan; Jia, Wei; Wang, Peihua; Dung, Chung-Hin; Zhao, Pengcheng; Leung, Kathy; Su, Boni; Cheng, Reynold; Li, Yuguo
• Is Part Of: Cities. Volume 112(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-05
• Subjects: Human behaviour -- Local travel behaviour -- COVID-19 -- Subway -- Effective reproduction number -- Public transport; City planning -- Periodicals; Urban policy -- Periodicals; 711.4
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cities.2021.103139
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-2751

Abstract

Abstract: COVID-19 threatens the world. Social distancing is a significant factor in determining the spread of this disease, and social distancing is strongly affected by the local travel behaviour of people in large cities. In this study, we analysed the changes in the local travel behaviour of various population groups in Hong Kong, between 1 January and 31 March 2020, by using second-by-second smartcard data obtained from the Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTRC) system. Due to the pandemic, local travel volume decreased by 43%, 49% and 59% during weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays, respectively. The local travel volumes of adults, children, students and senior citizens decreased by 42%, 86%, 73% and 48%, respectively. The local travel behaviour changes for adults and seniors between non-pandemic and pandemic times were greater than those between weekdays and weekends. The opposite was true for children and students. During the pandemic, the daily commute flow decreased by 42%. Local trips to shopping areas, amusement areas and borders decreased by 42%, 81% and 99%, respectively. The effective reproduction number ( R t ) of COVID-19 had the strongest association with daily population use of the MTR 7–8 days earlier. Highlights: Local travel volume decreased by 52.3% due to the pandemic. The local travel volumes of children and students decreased the most. Local trips to shopping and amusement areas decreased by 42% and 81%, respectively. COVID-19 infection strongly associates with daily use of the MTR 7–8 days earlier.