The indirect effect of the COVID-19 virus pandemic on student traffic participation

Abstract

The pandemic of the COVID-19 virus disease has resulted in significant changes in everyday life. As a result, two-thirds of the urban population has been forced to alter previously established travel habits. With this in mind, the international scientific community wonders if the newly formed travel habits could be maintained after the pandemic is over. This paper presents the findings of a survey conducted among students in Kragujevac prior to and during the COVID-19 virus pandemic. Furthermore, the citizens' expectations regarding the change in travel habits following the end of the pandemic are presented. For a period of five years, the survey was conducted once a year on students at the Faculty of Engineering in Kragujevac (Serbia). According to the survey results, during the pandemic, the car was considered a more comfortable mode of transportation than before. When compared to before the pandemic, the share of student families with two cars increased by 15%. The number of cyclists has also increased, making the lack of bike paths during the pandemic a more visible issue than previously. The students polled believe that once the pandemic is over, they will walk more and continue to rely on public transportation as before.