Implications of COVID-19 for future travel behaviour in the rural periphery
Abstract Background The design, management and operation of transport systems is a complex activity and this has only been exacerbated since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Concern has been raised over the likelihood of the public transport sector surviving in some locations given the significan...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2022-05-01
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| Series: | European Transport Research Review |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12544-022-00547-0 |
| _version_ | 1811258699097833472 |
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| author | John D. Nelson Brian Caulfield |
| author_facet | John D. Nelson Brian Caulfield |
| author_sort | John D. Nelson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The design, management and operation of transport systems is a complex activity and this has only been exacerbated since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Concern has been raised over the likelihood of the public transport sector surviving in some locations given the significant drops in patronage; this is especially so in rural environments where the existing provision was already limited. Furthermore, within the growing literature on the impact of COVID-19 on travel behaviour most of the focus is on urban areas with little documented experience of how rural travel behaviour has been impacted. Purpose This paper investigates the impact of COVID-19 on the transport sector and travel behaviour in the rural periphery. Methods Drawing on the work of the International Transport Forum (ITF) Working Group on Innovative Mobility for the Periphery, augmented by additional evidence and findings from the literature, this paper addresses three specific questions: Firstly, how COVID-19 has affected rural mobility. Secondly, how we can plan for sustainable rural transport solutions in the post-COVID world. Thirdly, the longer-term impacts of COVID-19 with implications for mobility. Results There will be substantial impacts from COVID-19 on rural societies and while the short-term impacts have been negative, in the longer-term there may be opportunity for changed mobility behaviours (including in response to modified work and activity patterns). Evidence suggests that it would seem likely that there are opportunities to foster new rural mobility solutions to support sustainable mobility (including Mobility-as-a-Service) and counter the traditionally fragmented transport base; this will be important as we learn to live with COVID-19. Conclusions While recognising the impact of changing funding priorities and the possible shift in economic activity as a result of the pandemic we conclude with suggestions for future rural transport policy. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T18:18:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1b47b1c17b044e9bb0252c7c15b3c904 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1867-0717 1866-8887 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T18:18:29Z |
| publishDate | 2022-05-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Transport Research Review |
| spelling | doaj.art-1b47b1c17b044e9bb0252c7c15b3c9042022-12-22T03:21:32ZengSpringerOpenEuropean Transport Research Review1867-07171866-88872022-05-0114111110.1186/s12544-022-00547-0Implications of COVID-19 for future travel behaviour in the rural peripheryJohn D. Nelson0Brian Caulfield1Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies, The University of Sydney Business School, The University of SydneyCentre for Transport Research, Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, The University of DublinAbstract Background The design, management and operation of transport systems is a complex activity and this has only been exacerbated since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Concern has been raised over the likelihood of the public transport sector surviving in some locations given the significant drops in patronage; this is especially so in rural environments where the existing provision was already limited. Furthermore, within the growing literature on the impact of COVID-19 on travel behaviour most of the focus is on urban areas with little documented experience of how rural travel behaviour has been impacted. Purpose This paper investigates the impact of COVID-19 on the transport sector and travel behaviour in the rural periphery. Methods Drawing on the work of the International Transport Forum (ITF) Working Group on Innovative Mobility for the Periphery, augmented by additional evidence and findings from the literature, this paper addresses three specific questions: Firstly, how COVID-19 has affected rural mobility. Secondly, how we can plan for sustainable rural transport solutions in the post-COVID world. Thirdly, the longer-term impacts of COVID-19 with implications for mobility. Results There will be substantial impacts from COVID-19 on rural societies and while the short-term impacts have been negative, in the longer-term there may be opportunity for changed mobility behaviours (including in response to modified work and activity patterns). Evidence suggests that it would seem likely that there are opportunities to foster new rural mobility solutions to support sustainable mobility (including Mobility-as-a-Service) and counter the traditionally fragmented transport base; this will be important as we learn to live with COVID-19. Conclusions While recognising the impact of changing funding priorities and the possible shift in economic activity as a result of the pandemic we conclude with suggestions for future rural transport policy.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12544-022-00547-0RuralCOVID-19Public transportFlexible transportInnovative mobility |
| spellingShingle | John D. Nelson Brian Caulfield Implications of COVID-19 for future travel behaviour in the rural periphery European Transport Research Review Rural COVID-19 Public transport Flexible transport Innovative mobility |
| title | Implications of COVID-19 for future travel behaviour in the rural periphery |
| title_full | Implications of COVID-19 for future travel behaviour in the rural periphery |
| title_fullStr | Implications of COVID-19 for future travel behaviour in the rural periphery |
| title_full_unstemmed | Implications of COVID-19 for future travel behaviour in the rural periphery |
| title_short | Implications of COVID-19 for future travel behaviour in the rural periphery |
| title_sort | implications of covid 19 for future travel behaviour in the rural periphery |
| topic | Rural COVID-19 Public transport Flexible transport Innovative mobility |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12544-022-00547-0 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT johndnelson implicationsofcovid19forfuturetravelbehaviourintheruralperiphery AT briancaulfield implicationsofcovid19forfuturetravelbehaviourintheruralperiphery |