Navigating public transport during a pandemic: Key lessons on travel behavior and social equity from two surveys in Tehran

Authors

Sina Karimi
Mahdi Samadzad
Gaele Lesteven

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2024

Subject Area

infrastructure, place - asia, planning - surveys, policy - equity, ridership - behaviour, technology - intelligent transport systems

Keywords

Covid-19, Public transport, Mobility system, Ordered probit, Structural equation modeling, Tehran

Abstract

This study examines the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the mobility system in Tehran, Iran, and provides lessons and insights to enhance readiness for similar circumstances in the future. Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted in Tehran, before and towards the end of the pandemic. The study utilizes descriptive analyses and econometric modeling to investigate the frequency of use of different modes of transportation during the two periods and the changes in the willingness to use these modes due to the pandemic, in relation to sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors and pandemic-related measures. The findings indicate that public transport, and by extension collective line taxis, experienced a decline in their modal share while private car share increased particularly as passengers. Contrary to the globally observed trend, the ridership of active modes remained stable, while motorbike usage doubled during the same period. Gender and income were found to strongly influence behavior during the pandemic. Women and the elderly were less likely to use public transport, while users who continued to use public transport were primarily low-income men with little to none telecommuting options. The study recommends context-specific policy interventions including investing in ICT and active transport infrastructure, as well as promoting electric mobility, primarily for two-wheelers.

Rights

Permission to publish the abstract has been given by Elsevier, copyright remains with them.

Comments

Transportation Research Part A Home Page:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09658564

Recommended Citation

Karimi, S., Samadzad, M., & Lesteven, G. (2024). Navigating public transport during a pandemic: Key lessons on travel behavior and social equity from two surveys in Tehran. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 184, 104075.