COVID-19 Streets: Evaluating the Impacts of Rapid Rollouts of Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities

This study analyzed the impacts of rapid-rollout shared streets programs implemented in response to changes in travel demand brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Shared streets are those that have been converted to pedestrian- and bicycle-priority zones using temporary materials, typically involving some sort of traffic calming or diversion. The research sought to understand the impacts of these shared streets on pedestrians and cyclists, with respect to safety, equity, and mobility by (1) comparing pedestrian and bicycle traffic volumes in nine treatment cities—cities that implemented robust shared streets programs during and because of the pandemic—and seven peer control cities, and (2) exploring the motivations, planning processes, and outcomes of shared streets in the treatment cities. Pedestrian and bicycle traffic volume data analysis did not support the hypothesis that shared streets were associated with increased pedestrian and bicycle traffic compared to pre-pandemic patterns. Travel patterns shifted from commute-oriented to recreation-oriented, but effects were stronger in control cities more than treatment cities. Volumes increased near pre-pandemic recreation sites and decreased near commute sites, but again with stronger effects in control cities. Sites near shared streets saw greater decreases, suggesting contextual factors influenced volumes more than shared streets. The lack of evidence that shared streets influenced pedestrian and bicycle traffic may also reflect limitations of existing count programs for rapid interventions during crises. Qualitative analysis of planning processes and outcomes revealed that shared streets programs aimed to provide safe outdoor space for physical distancing as well as opportunities to demonstrate new approaches to traffic calming. Locations for interventions were based on existing plans, ease of implementation, equity, and traffic conditions. Public engagement was limited at first but increased over time in most cases. Impacts of shared streets programs included new perspectives on street space and uses, an increased appetite for experimentation, public demands for faster implementation of pedestrian and bicycle facilities, and new public engagement approaches based on in situ trials. Recommendations: With increasing likelihood of massive disruptions in transportation systems in the future, cities should work now to ensure transportation plans are adapted to rapidly changing conditions and to develop more intentional data collection approaches to accurately assess impacts of crisis-related interventions.

• Dataset URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.15139/S3/XXQIVG
• Record URL:
  • https://www.roadsafety.unc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CSCRS_FinalReport_R34.pdf
• Summary URL:
  • https://www.roadsafety.unc.edu/research/projects/2021r34/
• Summary URL:
  • https://www.roadsafety.unc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/R34_brief.pdf
• Summary URL:
  • https://www.roadsafety.unc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/R34_SlideDeck.pdf
• Summary URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/77355
• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/77354
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This document was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program. Supporting dataset available at: https://doi.org/10.15139/S3/XXQIVG.
• Corporate Authors:

  Collaborative Sciences Center for Road Safety

  University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
  Chapel Hill, NC  United States  27514

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Combs, Tabitha
  • 0000-0002-0362-7015
  • Nordback, Krista
  • 0000-0001-7967-1998
  • Morin, Luke
  • 0000-0002-2081-1295
• Publication Date: 2023-8-31

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 82p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bicycle facilities; Cities; COVID-19; Pedestrian areas; Pedestrian traffic; Traffic volume; Travel behavior; Urban design
• Subject Areas: Operations and Traffic Management; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01929971
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: CSCRS-R34
• Files: UTC, NTL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Sep 11 2024 9:17AM