Increasing safety and sustainability of micro-mobility modes in pandemic, UKRI ESRC ES/T50189X/1

Short distance travel and commute being inevitable, safe route planning in pandemics for micro-mobility, i.e., cycling and walking, is extremely important for the safety of oneself and others. Hence, we propose an application-based solution using COVID-19 occurrence data and a multi-criteria route planning technique for cyclists and pedestrians. This study aims at objectively determining the routes based on various criteria on COVID-19 safety of a given route while keeping the user away from potential COVID-19 transmission spots. The vulnerable spots include places such as a hospital or medical zones, contained residential areas, and roads with a high connectivity and influx of people. The proposed algorithm returns a multi-criteria route modeled on COVID-19-modified parameters of micro-mobility and betweenness centrality considering COVID-19 avoidance as well as the shortest available safe route for user ease and shortened time of outside environment exposure. We verified our routing algorithm in a part of Delhi, India, by visualizing containment zones and medical establishments. The results with COVID-19 data analysis and route planning suggest a safer route in the context of the coronavirus outbreak as compared to normal navigation and on average route extension is within 8%–12%. Moreover, for further advancement and post-COVID-19 era, we discuss the need for adding open data policy and the spatial system architecture for data usage, as a part of a pandemic strategy. The study contributes new micro-mobility parameters adapted for COVID-19 and policy guidelines based on aggregated contact tracing data analysis maintaining privacy, security, and anonymity.

In this time of pandemic COVID 19 public vehicles like buses, metro, and vehicle sharing services were halted or even if available in lockdown relief, people were reluctant to use such services. This situation left users with a limited choice of using personal vehicles which in turn escalated traffic by many folds despite the reduction in long-distance commute. To avoid traffic, for small distances within a few kilometres many users may intend to choose either cycling or walking. For facilitating safe commute authorities are creating bike lanes and walkways so residents can practice physical distancing while being able to commute in their locality. UK cycle-to-work schemes are up 200% in the number of bicycle orders and major cities like Paris are looking to redesign their neighbourhood to avail amenities within 15-minute walk or bike ride. According to the World Bank, nearly 300 cities and regions have implemented people-friendly streets initiatives that allow residents to bike and walk within their city. In Europe, for example, almost 2,400 Km of cycling infrastructure has been announced by various levels of governments as of August 5, 2020. In the coming years, people will need to adapt to physical distancing, and municipal authorities will likely expand on recent measures to develop biking and walking infrastructure as a way to promote more live able, sustainable, and accessible cities. As a result, urban mobility will likely see an uptake in shared micro-mobility with residents selectively choosing when to take public transportation.
Hence, we propose a multi-criteria route planning technique for cyclists and pedestrians. This aims at objectively determining the routes based on various criteria about the safety of a given route while keeping the user away from potential COVID-19 transmission spots [1]. The vulnerable spots include places such as a hospital or medical facilities, contained residential areas, and roads with high connectivity and influx of people. Our proposed algorithm returns a multi-criteria route modelled by considering safety as well as the shortest route for user ease and short time of outside environment exposure [2]. So first we visualize containment zones and medical facilities in a region. We will define parameters pertaining to user facilitation in terms of safety, amenity reach and mobility ease using the walking and cycling modes. This visualization can help authorities to facilitate these modes by planning bike and walking lanes. Further, necessary amenities can be availed for remote areas in terms of cycling distance [3]. Next for safe commute our portal will suggest safe route for walking and bicycling to user. For web portal, Technology adopted will be Server architect deployment on Cloud – [AWS], Backend for algorithm and system design – [using Python & Nodejs], Frontend for user panel and status of different parameters [HTML & ReactJS], GIS APIs subscription– [Google Maps, Bing Maps, TOM TOM, HERE map]. Data Requirements may be of land use spatial data through APIs.