Effects of corona virus on mobility behaviour

Effects of corona virus on mobility behaviour

In spring 2020 PB CONSULT was commissioned by the VAG Nuremberg, in addition to the continuous investigation of the mobility behaviour of the Nuremberg population, to closely observe the adjustment process in mobility behaviour in the course of the corona restrictions as well as the subsequent gradual easing of the measures, in order to promptly identify changes in comparison to the pre-corona phase.

The most striking results for the first corona phase (March to May 2020) are that the Nuremberg population in general has greatly reduced its mobility, as can be seen from the number of trips. At the end of the first corona phase, however, it can be seen that it is approaching the previous level again. As far as the choice of transport modes is concerned, it has to be noted that public transport has seen a significant drop in the number of passengers during the study period. The people of Nuremberg preferred to walk more often instead. In contrast, the bicycle, as a modern means of transport currently very much in the media, was not able to benefit in Nuremberg in the same way as in Berlin, for example. Furthermore, the results we have determined show that the proportion of car users has now risen back to pre-Corona levels.

In a recent interview with the “Nürnberger Nachrichten”, the expert Prof. Dr.-Ing. Kipke from the Technical University Nürnberg has just summarised the effects these results, among others, may have on transport and urban planning in the future.

PB CONSULT is currently investigating further developments regarding the corona situation in a second investigation phase (since June 2020) for VAG Nürnberg.