Impact of COVID-19 on Traffic Signal Systems: Survey of Agency Interventions and Observed Changes in Pedestrian Activity

The COVID-19 pandemic, the most significant public health crisis since the 1918–1919 influenza epidemic, is the first such event to occur since the development of modern transportation systems in the twentieth century. Many states across the U.S. imposed lockdowns in early spring 2020, which reduced demand for trips of various types and affected transportation systems. In urban areas, the shift resulted in a reduction in traffic volumes and an increase in bicycling and walking in certain land use contexts. This paper seeks to understand the changes occurring at signalized intersections as a result of the lockdown and the ongoing pandemic, as well as the actions taken in response to these impacts. The results of a survey of agency reactions to COVID-19 with respect to traffic signal operations and changes in pedestrian activity during the spring 2020 lockdown using two case study examples in Utah are presented. First, the effects of placing intersections on pedestrian recall (with signage) to stop pedestrians from pushing the pedestrian button are examined. Next, the changes in pedestrian activity at Utah signalized intersections between the first 6 months of both 2019 and 2020 are analyzed and the impact of land use characteristics is explored. Survey results reveal the importance of using technologies such as adaptive systems and automated traffic signal performance measures to drive decisions. While pedestrian pushbutton actuations decreased in response to the implementation of pedestrian recalls, many pedestrians continued to use the pushbutton. Pedestrian activity changes were also largely driven by surrounding land uses.

Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Pedestrian Push-Button Utilization and Pedestrian Volume Model Accuracy in Utah

This work investigated the impacts of COVID-19 on pedestrian behavior, answering two research questions using pedestrian push-button data from Utah traffic signals: How did push-button utilization change during the early pandemic, owing to concerns over disease spread through high-touch surfaces? How did the accuracy of pedestrian volume estimation models (developed pre-COVID based on push-button traffic signal data) change during the early pandemic? To answer these questions, we first recorded videos, counted pedestrians, and collected push-button data from traffic signal controllers at 11 intersections in Utah in 2019 and 2020. We then compared changes in push-button presses per pedestrian (to measure utilization), as well as model prediction errors (to measure accuracy), between the two years. Our first hypothesis of decreased push-button utilization was partially supported. The changes in utilization at most (seven) signals were not statistically significant;yet, the aggregate results (using 10 of 11 signals) saw a decrease from 2.1 to 1.5 presses per person. Our second hypothesis of no degradation of model accuracy was supported. There was no statistically significant change in accuracy when aggregating across nine signals, and the models were actually more accurate in 2020 for the other two signals. Overall, we concluded that COVID-19 did not significantly deter people from using push-buttons at most signals in Utah, and that the pedestrian volume estimation methods developed in 2019 probably do not need to be recalibrated to work for COVID conditions. This information may be useful for public health actions, signal operations, and pedestrian planning.

Pedestrians and the Built Environment during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Changing Relationships by the Pandemic Phases in Salt Lake County, Utah, U.S.A

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically altered people's travel behavior, in particular outdoor activities, including walking. Their behavior changes may have prolonged effects after the pandemic, and such changes vary by the context and are related to the characteristics of the built environment. But empirical studies about the relationships between pedestrians and the built environment during the pandemic are lacking. This study explores how COVID-19 and related travel restrictions have affected the relationship between pedestrian traffic volume and the built environment. We estimate daily pedestrian volumes for all signalized intersections in Salt Lake County, Utah, U.S.A., from pedestrian push-button log data between January 2019 and October 2020. Multilevel spatial filtering models show that the COVID-19 pandemic has altered the relationship between pedestrian traffic volume and the built environment. During the pandemic, the higher the number of COVID-19 cases, the less (or more negative) the effects of density, street connectivity, and destination accessibility on pedestrian volume being observed. The exception is access to urban parks, as it became more significant in increasing pedestrian activities during the pandemic. The models also highlight the negative impacts of the pandemic in economically disadvantaged areas. Our findings could help urban and transportation planners find effective interventions to promote active transportation and physical activity amid the global pandemic.

Impact of COVID-19 on Traffic Signal Systems: Survey of Agency Interventions and Observed Changes in Pedestrian Activity.

The COVID-19 pandemic, the most significant public health crisis since the 1918-1919 influenza epidemic, is the first such event to occur since the development of modern transportation systems in the twentieth century. Many states across the U.S. imposed lockdowns in early spring 2020, which reduced demand for trips of various types and affected transportation systems. In urban areas, the shift resulted in a reduction in traffic volumes and an increase in bicycling and walking in certain land use contexts. This paper seeks to understand the changes occurring at signalized intersections as a result of the lockdown and the ongoing pandemic, as well as the actions taken in response to these impacts. The results of a survey of agency reactions to COVID-19 with respect to traffic signal operations and changes in pedestrian activity during the spring 2020 lockdown using two case study examples in Utah are presented. First, the effects of placing intersections on pedestrian recall (with signage) to stop pedestrians from pushing the pedestrian button are examined. Next, the changes in pedestrian activity at Utah signalized intersections between the first 6 months of both 2019 and 2020 are analyzed and the impact of land use characteristics is explored. Survey results reveal the importance of using technologies such as adaptive systems and automated traffic signal performance measures to drive decisions. While pedestrian pushbutton actuations decreased in response to the implementation of pedestrian recalls, many pedestrians continued to use the pushbutton. Pedestrian activity changes were also largely driven by surrounding land uses.

Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Pedestrian Push-Button Utilization and Pedestrian Volume Model Accuracy in Utah.

This work investigated the impacts of COVID-19 on pedestrian behavior, answering two research questions using pedestrian push-button data from Utah traffic signals: How did push-button utilization change during the early pandemic, owing to concerns over disease spread through high-touch surfaces? How did the accuracy of pedestrian volume estimation models (developed pre-COVID based on push-button traffic signal data) change during the early pandemic? To answer these questions, we first recorded videos, counted pedestrians, and collected push-button data from traffic signal controllers at 11 intersections in Utah in 2019 and 2020. We then compared changes in push-button presses per pedestrian (to measure utilization), as well as model prediction errors (to measure accuracy), between the two years. Our first hypothesis of decreased push-button utilization was partially supported. The changes in utilization at most (seven) signals were not statistically significant; yet, the aggregate results (using 10 of 11 signals) saw a decrease from 2.1 to 1.5 presses per person. Our second hypothesis of no degradation of model accuracy was supported. There was no statistically significant change in accuracy when aggregating across nine signals, and the models were actually more accurate in 2020 for the other two signals. Overall, we concluded that COVID-19 did not significantly deter people from using push-buttons at most signals in Utah, and that the pedestrian volume estimation methods developed in 2019 probably do not need to be recalibrated to work for COVID conditions. This information may be useful for public health actions, signal operations, and pedestrian planning.

Pedestrians and the Built Environment during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Changing Relationships by the Pandemic Phases in Salt Lake County, Utah, U.S.A.

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically altered people's travel behavior, in particular outdoor activities, including walking. Their behavior changes may have prolonged effects after the pandemic, and such changes vary by the context and are related to the characteristics of the built environment. But empirical studies about the relationships between pedestrians and the built environment during the pandemic are lacking. This study explores how COVID-19 and related travel restrictions have affected the relationship between pedestrian traffic volume and the built environment. We estimate daily pedestrian volumes for all signalized intersections in Salt Lake County, Utah, U.S.A., from pedestrian push-button log data between January 2019 and October 2020. Multilevel spatial filtering models show that the COVID-19 pandemic has altered the relationship between pedestrian traffic volume and the built environment. During the pandemic, the higher the number of COVID-19 cases, the less (or more negative) the effects of density, street connectivity, and destination accessibility on pedestrian volume being observed. The exception is access to urban parks, as it became more significant in increasing pedestrian activities during the pandemic. The models also highlight the negative impacts of the pandemic in economically disadvantaged areas. Our findings could help urban and transportation planners find effective interventions to promote active transportation and physical activity amid the global pandemic.

Examining relationships between COVID-19 destination practices, value, satisfaction and behavioral intentions for tourists' outdoor recreation trips

Using a structural equation model, this study examined the influence of tourists' satisfaction with COVID-19 practices at destinations on tourists' value, satisfaction, and behavioral intentions (revisit and recommendation intentions). From a sample of 405 tourists who participated in outdoor recreation trips after March 2020, this study found that satisfaction with COVID-19 practices at destinations had significant impacts on tourists’ perceived value, overall satisfaction, and revisit/recommendation intentions, controlling for the impacts of socio-demographic, trip, and destination-related factors. This study also examined how first-time and repeat visitors developed behavioral intentions differently, using multi-group analysis. Specifically, revisit/recommendation intentions for repeat visitors were not associated with satisfaction with COVID-19 measures, whereas the relationships were significant for first-time visitors. Finally, theoretical and managerial implications based on study findings were outlined and recommendations for future research were made.

Travel, health and well-being: A focus on past studies, a special issue, and future research

This introduction to the special issue on travel, health and well-being is subdivided into three parts. In Section 1 we provide a summary of existing literature analysing how health and well-being are related with transport and travel behaviour. An overview and short descriptions of the studies included in this special issue are given in Section 2. In Section 3 we conclude this editorial by uncovering research gaps and suggesting avenues for further research.