Impact of transit network on local COVID-19 infection risk from the perspectives of global network centrality and local network structure: A case study of Beijing

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2025

Subject Area

place - asia, place - urban, mode - bus, infrastructure - stop, planning - methods, planning - network design, planning - personal safety/crime

Keywords

Transit networks, mobility patterns, COVID-19, infection risk

Abstract

The transport network plays a critical role in shaping mobility patterns, thereby altering individual contact opportunities and influencing localized infection risk. However, most studies have focused primarily on contact networks informed by trajectory data, and have often overlooked infrastructure networks and their structural characteristics. This study investigates how intracity transit networks influence local infection risk in cities. Using data from Beijing's bus network and COVID-19 cases in December 2022, a spatial lag model is developed to explore these dynamics. The results reveal that areas with strong connectivity to neighboring regions and high potential mobility, or along major transit corridors, face significantly elevated infection risk. Additionally, a fragmented local transit network within an area leads to frequent transfers, causing travel flows to spill over from the transit system, thus increasing viral exposure and outbreak risk within these areas. The findings suggest that adding bus stops can relieve transfer pressure in areas with strong connectivity to neighboring regions and along major transit corridors, thereby reducing local infection risk. Finally, the analysis highlights the spatial heterogeneity of local transit network characteristics in Beijing. The correlation analysis shows that the association between COVID-19 cases and the transit network is more pronounced in suburban areas. These insights emphasize the need for strategic transit planning and provide guidance for targeted prevention measures to curb the spread of virus during pandemics.

Rights

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

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS