Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the mobility behaviour in Germany

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftForschungsartikelBeigetragenBegutachtung

Beitragende

Abstract

Background
The COVID-19 pandemic and the measures taken to combat it led to severe constraints for various areas of life, including mobility. To study the effects of this disruptive situation on the mobility behaviour of entire subgroups, and how they shape their mobility in reaction to the special circumstances, can help to better understand, how people react to external changes.

Methodology
Aim of the study presented in this article was to investigate to what extent, how and in what areas mobility behaviour has changed during the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in Germany. In addition, a focus was put on the comparison of federal states with and without lockdown in order to investigate a possible contribution of this measure to changes in mobility. We asked respondents via an online survey about their trip purposes and trip frequency, their choice of transport mode and the reasons for choosing it in the context of the COVID-19 crisis. For the analyses presented in this paper, we used the data of 4157survey participants (2512 without lockdown, 1645 with lockdown).

Results
The data confirmed a profound impact on the mobility behaviour with a shift away from public transport and increases in car usage, walking and cycling. Comparisons of federal states with and without lockdown revealed only isolated differences. It seems that, even if the lockdown had some minor effects, its role in the observed behavioural changes was minimal.

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Aufsatznummer10
FachzeitschriftEUROPEAN TRANSPORT RESEARCH REVIEW
Jahrgang13
Ausgabenummer1
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 26 Jan. 2021
Peer-Review-StatusJa

Externe IDs

Scopus 85099779013
ORCID /0000-0003-3162-9656/work/142246923

Schlagworte

Schlagwörter

  • Mobility behaviour, Transport, Pandemic, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Corona, Mode choice