Characterization of COVID-19’s Impact on Mobility and Short-Term Prediction of Public Transport Demand in a Mid-Size City in Spain

• DOI: 10.3390/s21196574
• Publication Date: 2021-10-11T01:37:49Z
• Authors: Ana Belén Rodrígu...; Mark R. Wilby; Juan José Vinagre...; Rubén Fernández Pozo
• Keywords: Pandemic

COVID-19 has dramatically struck each section of our society: health, economy, employment, and mobility. This work presents a data-driven characterization the impact pandemic on public private mobility in mid-size city Spain (Fuenlabrada). Our analysis used real data collected from transport smart card system Bluetooth traffic monitoring network, February to September 2020, thus covering relevant phases pandemic. results show that, at peak pandemic, decreased 95% 86% their pre-COVID-19 values, after which latter experienced faster recovery. In addition, daily patterns evidenced clear change behavior users towards during different Based these findings, we developed short-term predictors future demand provide operators managers with accurate information optimize service avoid crowded areas. prediction model achieved high performance for pre- post-state-of-alarm phases. Consequently, this contributes enlarging knowledge about mobility, providing deep how it affected mode city.