Spatial and Temporal Trends in Travel for COVID-19 Vaccinations.

Introduction: Understanding spatial and temporal trends in travel for COVID-19 vaccinations by key demographic characteristics (i.e., gender, race, age) is important for ensuring equitable access to and increasing distribution efficiency of vaccines and other health services. The aim of this study is to examine trends in travel distance for COVID-19 vaccinations over the course of the vaccination rollout in North Carolina. Methods: Data were collected using electronic medical records of individuals who had first- or single-dose COVID-19 vaccination appointments through UNC Health between December 15, 2020, and August 31, 2021 (N = 204,718). Travel distances to appointments were calculated using the Euclidean distance from individuals' home ZIP code centroids to clinic addresses. Descriptive statistics and multivariable regression models with individuals' home ZIP codes incorporated as fixed effects were used to examine differences in travel distances by gender, race, and age. Results: Males and White individuals traveled significantly farther for vaccination appointments throughout the vaccination rollout. On average, females traveled 14. 4 miles, 3.5% shorter distances than males; Black individuals traveled 13.6 miles, 10.0% shorter distances than White individuals; and people aged 65 and older traveled 14.5 miles, 2.6% longer distances than younger people living in the same ZIP code. Conclusions: Controlling for socioeconomic status and spatial proximity to vaccination clinics at the ZIP code level, males and White individuals traveled longer distances for vaccination appointments, demonstrating more ability to travel for vaccinations. Results indicate a need to consider differential ability to travel to vaccinations by key demographic characteristics in COVID-19 vaccination programs and future mass health service delivery efforts.

Stemming the Tide: Approaching Urban Freight in the Era of e-Commerce

The relationship between cities and freight is undergoing an unprecedented and tumultuous transition. While e-commerce has long been chipping away at traditional flows of goods, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a massive acceleration of trends, with some experts estimating that 10 years' worth of e-commerce adoption took place in the space of 3 months. This shift has had a profound effect on goods movement, and consequently, the transportation systems on which it depends. The number of small parcels delivered in the US rose to 20.2 billion in 2020. Crucially, a large portion of these parcels end up at individual residences rather than consolidated at retail locations. At the same time, customers expect goods to arrive faster than ever, often in 2 days or less. This rapid increase in volume, disaggregation, and speed requires a constant flow of delivery vehicles that manifests as urban truck traffic. More freight vehicles require more places to load and unload, and these activities often take place at the curb. Cities typically require off-street loading zones for some types of new construction, but these requirements vary widely and most freight is accounted for by extant buildings or areas where there is not space for off-street loading.