Contributing factors to the change in travel mode choice after COVID-19 in Korea using bivariate probit model

Abstract

After the global pandemic of COVID-19, many people were afraid of an unknown disease without a cure, Travelers’ behavior has changed due to the government’s policy and people’s risk perception. The goal of this study is to analyze the data obtained through the survey and find the mode choice factors that influenced the selection of transportation changed due to COVID-19. The data needed for analysis were collected through a survey on the selection of transportation before and after the outbreak of COVID-19, at the peak time (the third pandemic in Korea from November 2020 to February 2021), and after the peak. In order to analyze the correlation between travel mode choice and individual tendency, bivariate probit model was developed. This study found that (1) due to the spread of COVID-19, private cars and private transportation are reduced, and public transportation is greatly reduced. (2) behavior changes were different depending on the type of work and working conditions. (3) behavior changes were different depending on the perception of public transportation. In conclusion, this study can prevent the spread of COVID-19 and help policy decision according to the travelers’ behavior in a different pandemic situation than before. © International Journal of Sustainable Building Technology and Urban Development.