An Impact Assessment of Cordon Pricing Relaxation on Modal Shift During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant disruptions to transportation patterns worldwide, with a notable increase in Private Vehicle (PV) usage. Many studies have focused on travel restrictions, while neglecting to consider potential changes in transportation-related policies implemented during COVID-19 that may have improved public health. The present study explores the motivations for modal shifts to PVs and tries to analyze which of the risks of exposure and modifications in transportation policies has caused these modifications. Focusing on the case study of Tehran, Iran, where cordon pricing was relaxed during the pandemic, the study collected data through online and paper-based surveys from 1475 respondents. Binary logit models were employed to analyze the data and understand the impact of destination location, residency area, trip purpose, trip frequency, and vehicle characteristics on modal shift behavior. In addition to COVID-19 exposure as a primary reason for the modal shift, respondents also identified the relaxation of cordon pricing restrictions as a factor that increased the utility of PVs. The study's findings contribute to better understanding the dynamics of travel behavior during pandemics, guiding policymakers in devising effective strategies to address both public health concerns and traffic conditions.