Abstract Manager

While most studies have descriptively analyzed the effects of COVID-19 on travel behavior, a more nuanced behavioral analysis using advanced econometric modeling is necessary to identify the underlying factors influencing these changes. This research delves into how perceptions of COVID-19 shape travel behaviors and examines the attitudinal variables that drive the use of various transportation modes. Furthermore, it investigates how these attitudinal variables serve as precursors to teleworking and online shopping intentions, offering a broader understanding of the pandemic’s impact on lifestyle shifts.
This study makes three significant contributions to the growing body of literature. First, it develops econometric micro-behavioral models to investigate anticipated post-COVID travel behaviors. Second, it uncovers behavioral heterogeneity across individuals by analyzing differences based on demographic and personal characteristics. Third, it expands the modeling framework by incorporating attitudinal variables related to virtual activities, such as teleworking and e-commerce, to assess their influence on mobility patterns.
Our approach classifies individuals into distinct categories based on their anticipated transportation mode usage in the post-pandemic landscape and models the key determinants shaping these categories. This analysis is based on data from the COVID-19 Travel Survey, a longitudinal study conducted over three consecutive years (from 2020 to 2022) to track evolving mobility patterns. Utilizing data of the last wave of the survey (i.e., 2022), which includes a range of attitudinal variables, we apply a Hybrid Choice Model to explore preferences for different travel modes. This enables us to identify the underlying drivers of travel behavior and highlights the interplay between virtual activity preferences and mobility choices.
By identifying these behavioral patterns and their determinants, this research aims to provide practical insights for policymakers and transportation planners. The findings will support the development of effective, long-term strategies to address evolving mobility needs, particularly in response to major disruptive events that can fundamentally reshape travel behavior trends. Ultimately, this work seeks to inform efforts to create resilient and adaptive transportation systems in a post-pandemic world.