INFLUENCE OF THE PANDEMIC COVID-19 ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE CITY

Abstract

Statistical data on the number of passengers on the rail, road, air, streetcar, and trolleybus transport before and during the pandemic were used to determine the influence of COVID-19 on the transport infrastructure of cities and Ukraine in general. In addition, the number of passengers of different types of transport during the same periods of the year was compared and analyzed. Restrictions on mobility have had a direct impact on transportation activities, with a sharp reduction in passenger traffic for all modes of transport. According to statistics in 2020, the number of passengers carried by all modes of transport amounted to 2570214 thousand passengers or 60.3% of the volume of 2019. The transportation sector shows a more rapid decline in passenger traffic on all modes of transportation in 2020–2021. The largest losses were noted in passenger transport as a result of the introduction of the restrictions on transportation by all modes of transport, except private road transport. It was found that the decrease in the frequency of travel by public transport users is caused not only by strict quarantine restrictions but also by a change in preference for private cars, means of micro-mobility (bicycles, electric scooters), and even walking. In terms of transportation,videoconferencing will probably remain a priority meeting option, which will significantly reduce the demand for transportation for business purposes. The disruption caused by COVID-19 will affect transportation infrastructure and mobility much longer  than the time of the pandemic. Transport activity is probably going to resume after the lifting of restrictive measures and a gradual increase in economic activity. It is necessary to provide further development on the development of measures for the functioning of transport infrastructure under quarantine restrictions and its return to normal conditions of functioning after the removal of these restrictions.