Evaluating the impact of urban transportation management policies on COVID-19 cases

COVID-19 spread has significantly affected transport sector. Travel behavior is directly influenced by policies such as quarantine mandates and movement restrictions. The current study aims to investigate the impact of urban transportation management policies on COVID-19 cases for the case of Tehran. In this regard, work activity policies and traffic restrictions, along with some specific events/holidays are analyzed over a period of 15 months. The method is correlation analysis between the implementation time of policies/events and the number of cases. Results indicate that suspending congestion pricing plans has the most effect on reducing COVID-19 spread (correlation coefficient: -0.75_-0.94). We also found that some holidays/events and their related movements and gatherings are one of the main reasons for an increase in cases (correlation coefficient: 0.71_0.96). It can be concluded that traffic restrictions including suspending congestion pricing plans and intercity movement restrictions, as well as temporarily shutting down some organizations would positively decrease the number of cases. The results can provide a robust pattern for decision-makers across the country.