Could coronavirus permanently impact our ‘daily commute’ habits?
Along with the other significant societal impacts of the spread of the coronavirus, the pandemic might even affect the urban transportation environment. Fulton Schools Professor Ram Pendyala, whose expertise includes transportation systems planning and travel behavior, says the public may recognize the advantages of the reduction in traffic congestion resulting from the public reaction to the virus. Or it could make people more wary of shared modes of transportation, such as buses and ride-share services. But more likely, Pendyala says, traffic will bounce back to its normal levels when the pandemic wanes.