Identifying the Changes in Mode Choice Behavior Due to COVID-19 in Dhaka Metropolitan Area

Abstract

Various measures, recommended or imposed by the Government of Bangladesh to control the spread of COVID-19, impacted the travel behavior of the urban travelers significantly. Showcasing high impacts while the lockdowns in place, similar research suggested that the effects of such will impact mode choice behavior significantly in a period after lockdowns as people blend in with new normalcy. This study aimed at examining the changes that occurred in travel and mode choice behavior after the repealing of lockdowns and models the change in the factors that affect mode choice. Data were collected through an online questionnaire survey, limited to Dhaka Metropolitan Area and dispersed through social media ad campaign, which included questions on trip purpose, mode choice, distance traveled, and frequency of trips before and after COVID-19 lockdowns. Two hundred and ninety-five responses were collected from the survey which were analyzed through non-parametric and parametric analysis to compare between pre-lockdown and post-lockdown periods. Results explained that trip purpose, mode choice, cost of trip, frequency of trips and importance imparted on various Levels of Service (LOS) factors for the primary travel were significantly different before and after the lockdown. There was a significant shift from public transport to private transport and non-motorized modes while people placed a higher priority on the pandemic related concerns while choosing a mode during the pandemic as compared to the general concerns or trip attributes. Importance imparted on various vehicle characteristics, trip attributes and safety related attributes shifted significantly as travelers preferred shorter distance, shorter time and cost-efficient modes in pre-lockdown time, while preferring safer, higher cost, less distance and crowding to be more important factors in the new normal situation. Significant changes in factors affecting mode choice were observed, as household income, employment status and safety & distancing in vehicle impacted travelers to shift from public transport to private vehicles and non-motorized vehicles. Government authorities could utilize such knowledge for planning smart and partial lockdowns in the event of future lockdowns and also, utilize the knowledge in making the new public transportation systems to match users’ needs.