The impact of the covid-19 pandemic on urban movement: using floating car data to analyse road-based traffic patterns

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected global day-to-day movement patterns. Travel demand was markedly reduced worldwide as a result of governmental directives to reduce the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The South African government implemented a stepwise lockdown approach according to five Alert Levels, which have guided movement, social gatherings, and economic activities throughout the pandemic. Variation in traffic congestion levels was obvious on urban roads in South African cities, linked to changing Alert Levels. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the pandemic has impacted urban, road-based movement patterns, and to evaluate if mobility trends are tending towards a “new normal” or returning to pre-pandemic patterns. It is important, particularly for planning authorities, to understand the long-term impacts of the pandemic to know if the observed changes to congestion and trip distribution patterns will be ongoing, or if we can anticipate a general return to pre-pandemic movement patterns. A case study analysis of traffic movement patterns in Cape Town is conducted using traffic volume and commercial floating car data (FCD) to evaluate variation in congestion and trip distribution patterns throughout 2020 and 2021. Analysis revealed the severe impact that lockdown had on traffic and movement patterns. Furthermore, the study determined that while 2021 traffic volume and congestion remained somewhat lower than 2019 levels, trip distribution patterns had returned to a pre-lockdown profile by the end of 2021. This is the first detailed South African study of pandemic related urban movement pattern changes using FCD, also offering a case study into how commercial FCD behaves in Sub-Saharan Africa when evaluating the traffic impact of a significant event.Papers presented at the 40th International Southern African Transport Conference on 04 -08 July 202

Measuring the impact of roadworks on traffic progression using floating car data

Roadworks projects, while necessary to upgrade and maintain our transport networks, are loathed for their presumed negative impact on our daily commute. The purpose of this study is to investigate how Floating Car Data (FCD) can be used to assess the influence of a work zone on traffic progression. The effective change in speed and travel time was examined within and around a work zone of the recently completed upgrade of the N1 in Cape Town, particularly during the lane closure of the inbound section of the N1 between Durban Road and Jip de Jager Drive. The use of FCD to assess the impact of work zones provided unprecedented insight into traffic patterns such as the change in position of bottlenecks during roadworks. FCD was shown to improve our understanding of traffic movement within work zones. This can provide input to strategies for safer traffic accommodation during roadworks, going some way to improve the daily commute of road users.Papers presented virtually at the 39th International Southern African Transport Conference on 05 -07 July 202

Micromobility : testing suitability through fcd to improve overall mobility

Papers presented virtually at the 41st International Southern African Transport Conference on 10-13 July 2061Micromobility refers to the use of small, lightweight, and often non-motorised vehicles for short trips and last-mile connections that can either by privately owned, or part of a transport offering through a fleet of vehicles owned by a mobility service provider. Micromobility solutions have the potential to significantly reduce congestion and improve the urban environment. This paper aims to investigate how floating car data (FCD) can be used to evaluate the opportunity for micromobility to unlock mobility solutions for both short trips (5 km to 10 km) and long trips (>10 km), to encourage more sustainable urban movement. This paper investigates micromobility options using the town of Stellenbosch as a case study. The potential role of micromobility is investigated by considering typical trip patterns in Stellenbosch, collected through commercial FCD detailing motorised trips. The option of creating linkages between micromobility and infrastructural elements such as vehicle parking areas and “park and ride” facilities to increase the reach of micromobility are also considered. The research revealed a high level of suitability of micromobility for internal trips made within Stellenbosch, and external trips heading into Stellenbosch from surrounds when coupled with infrastructure upgrades (“park and ride”) and ride-share facilities. The paper also demonstrates the benefits of FCD for micromobility planning