Using Topic Modeling to Identify Public Opinion on Public Transportation During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study examines public opinion toward transit during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was accomplished through topic modeling using social media posts on Twitter. Results showed how discussion regarding public transit changed during the first several months of 2020. This study also shared lessons learned while developing the problem statement and methodology.

• Record URL:
  • https://www.ugpti.org/resources/reports/details.php?id=1042
• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/59793
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This document was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
• Corporate Authors:

  Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute

  Small Urban and Rural Center on Mobility
  North Dakota State University
  Fargo, ND  United States 

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Taleqani, Ali Rahim
  • Ezekwem, Kenechukwu
  • Molina, Antonio
  • Askarzadeh, Taraneh
  • Malalgoda, Narendra
  • Hough, Jill
  • Mattson, Jeremy
  • 0000-0002-0826-5834
• Publication Date: 2021-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 20p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: COVID-19; Public opinion; Public transit; Social media
• Identifier Terms: Twitter
• Subject Areas: Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01780668
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: SP-187, SURTCOM 21-08
• Files: UTC, NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: Aug 30 2021 2:46PM