[In-Depth Look] Changes in Personal Transportation Due to COVID-19

Lee Jun, Associate Research Fellow, Transportation Safety and Disaster Prevention Research Center, Korea Transport Institute

The recent novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) crisis is the worst disaster in history with no safe zones anywhere in the world. Some refer to the battle against the coronavirus as a fight between 'Virus vs. Humanity,' likening it to a Third World War. Due to its close geographical proximity to China, South Korea was relatively early deployed to this battlefield. The first confirmed case in the country was reported on January 20, and later, a large-scale group infection at Shincheonji led to a daily maximum of 909 confirmed cases, making South Korea one of the high-risk countries with the second highest number of cases after China. However, South Korea is now receiving global attention as a model case for successfully managing quarantine responses.

The Korean government encouraged the use of private cars for essential travel as a measure to minimize contact during the COVID-19 response. As a result, congestion occurred during commuting hours due to increased private car use, but it was also evaluated as effective in relatively reducing the density of public transportation. However, for citizens living in high-density urban spaces like South Korea, the use of public transportation for economic activities is inevitable. While people can stay home temporarily by participating in social distancing, problems arise when infectious disease disasters have long-term impacts on citizens' lives.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, some citizens have chosen personal public transportation means such as shared bicycles and personal mobility devices (electric-powered personal transport devices) that allow social distancing instead of public transportation. According to the usage results of Sejong City's bicycle sharing service 'Eouling,' the number of users increased by more than 10% compared to the previous year during the social distancing period. As such, personal public transportation means, which are part of the sharing economy services in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, have very high utility as short-distance transportation modes because they allow social distancing while still having the characteristics of public transportation.

However, several limitations need to be addressed first. The first is the difficulty of long-distance travel. Shared bicycle and PM systems are separated by local governments, so when traveling to other regions, users must join and pay for each local government’s system and change transportation modes. These regional systems need to be operated as an integrated system. If operated as an integrated system, users will be able to choose means regardless of travel distance or region, making the service easier than it is now.

The second is physical limitations. Compared to public transportation, personal public transportation means require physical energy, so the possible travel distance varies depending on individual fitness. This can be supplemented by establishing network hub systems connecting regions, such as transfer terminals. If support is provided to select personal transportation means suitable for accessibility and purpose, and parking and rental spaces are secured, it will greatly help service use.

The third is the issue of safety. Still, knowledge of operation methods, wearing safety equipment, and insurance enrollment depend on individual judgment. To supplement this, a safety system must be established. If safety education is conducted mandatorily and insurance and regulations related to accidents are clearly organized, it can sufficiently contribute to improving safety.

In the future, infectious diseases following COVID-19 will continue to occur. Maintaining the perception of public transportation as a high-density, large-scale transport means leaves no choice but to reduce social activities. The war is not over yet. We must prepare for the second and third waves of infectious disease attacks to come. One of the measures is not to blindly avoid public transportation but to complement and develop alternatives to public transportation.