Page 10 - TrafficInfraTech Magazine - Linking People Places & Progres

NEW MOBILITY

Reinventing Mobility

Even though the fall in
passenger transport demand
are being pushed by rather
temporary social distancing

restrictions, COVID-19 may
have a long-term effect on
people’s travel behaviour. By
showing what an immobile

world looks like, this new
reality has shed light on the
centrality of transport in
the global economy, and in

all almost all aspects of our
lives, says Ankit Pachouri,
Urban Transport Planner,
Institute of Urban Transport

(India).

he novel coronavirus has had From rickshaw pullers to airlines, all measures as one of the ways in
a profound, dramatic impact have been affected economically by which transmission of the disease can
on our world. Many of us are the pandemic. Over recent weeks, be reduced. These include various
feeling overwhelmed right falling demand and contagion risk have instructions from dispensing tickets to
Tnow—with the news, with caused a drastic reduction in transport disinfecting seats, sanitization protocols
data, and with the immediate impact services all over the world. and SOP’s etc.
of COVID-19 on lives and livelihoods of Citing higher risk of community The situation gradually leads to
people around the globe. But while it’s spread of the virus in public transport, the fear that even after the situation
still very much an ongoing situation, many city/state/national governments normalises, the perception of risk
there is already a lot of talk about the issued guidelines for public transport associated with crowded areas could
scenarios that could unfold after the operators. Many countries are lead to shift in preferences towards
pandemic.
following the advice from the World personal travel modes and many people
Transportation sector has been one Health Organization (WHO) regarding may refrain from using these services.
of the primary victims of COVID-19. the introduction of physical distancing That is, people may avoid using public

10 April-May 2020 / TrafficInfraTech www.trafficinfratech-com-500653.hostingersite.com