The Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on transportation in metropolitan cities and outlining measures that could help build resilience and sustainability: A Case Study – Bologna.

This dissertation investigates the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on mobility considering a study case of Bologna by analysing readily available data of public transportation (buses), vehicle and cyclist flows collected from manual passenger counts, automatic traffic and cyclist counters respectively. The timeline of the study was split into four phases covering periods before the pandemic occurred, during the first lockdown, immediately after lockdown restrictions were lifted and post-lockdown stages. Additional data was obtained from the open access data provided by Moovit app on the usage of mobility options during the timeframe of the study. Analysis on data for the modes considered included weekly trip comparisons from 2019 and 2020, comparisons of usage during phases of the study and modal comparisons. Measures (policy and infrastructure wise) enacted by local government authorities in Bologna prior and during this pandemic are also examined considering the role of sustainability and resilience building. Results obtained from the case study are compared to other metropolitan cities to identify some similarities and differences to establish conclusions with recommendations suggested. It is found that Bologna experienced an overall mobility reduction of 76%, 18% and 0.5% during the phases 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Additionally, cycling was the only mode to surpass its initial levels from Phase 1 in Phase 3, showing 31% and 40% increases in usage in Phases 3 and 4. Public transportation (buses) was the most impacted during Phase 2 experiencing about 90% decrease in usage. Private transport (vehicle use) showed the most resilience reaching figures (101.4%) in Phase 4 almost identical to that recorded before the lockdown. This study reveals that withstanding the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on transport choices, active travel has a significant role to play in the choice of users in future mobility.