The Impact of Covid-19 pandemic on traffic generation and parking demand at hospitals
Date
2021-03
Authors
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Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigates the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the traffic generation and parking demand on hospitals. Coronavirus disease first started in Wuhan, China and was reported as the global pandemic by World Health Organization (WHO) in December 2019. The virus was found to be highly contagious and could be transmitted very easily from person to person such as by spending time with an infected person. The global village opted to closing borders and shutting down of the international travel either by air, land or sea to contain the viral transmission throughout the world. South Africa also implemented similar measures in regard to the international travel ban in March 2020. The ban was not only on the travel between countries, but restrictions were also imposed between provinces and even with towns. The country implemented a complete shutdown on businesses, schools and all services with the exception of essential services such as retail and hospitals. The essential providers also operated under strict regulations to minimise the viral transmission.
The research looked at both private and public hospitals in Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni Metros in Gauteng province, South Africa. The study found variation in traffic flow patterns at each hospital investigated which was done by traffic and pedestrian count at the hospital access gate during the COVID-19 pandemic Lockdown Level 3. The study found that traffic at private hospitals was lower during the midday which was expected due to the regulations implemented by hospitals. The traffic during the morning was, however unusually, higher than the normal period prior COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
Trip generation rates are used to estimate the number of trips produced and attracted by the hospitals. These trip generation rates are provided in the South African Trip Generation Rates and the South African Trip Data manuals which are based on the South African land use characteristics. The Institute of Transportation Engineers manual is also used mostly by international countries. The research found that the trip generation rates measured at both the private and public hospitals are lower than the trip generation rates recommended in the two existing local manuals. Similar results were established even with the historical data received from the private hospitals records. It is possible that the vehicles trips estimated by the existing trip generation rates are an overestimate. Pedestrians’ volumes (from Public Transport) at public hospitals were almost 80% of the vehicle volumes, signifying a high percentage of pedestrians and lower vehicle ownership. Due to the virus rapidly spreading throughout the country, it was expected that the parking demand at hospitals would be higher with patients seeking medical assistance. The research however found that the parking demand was very low and this could be as a result of strict regulations for hospital visits and travel restrictions during the lockdown. Overall, it was concluded that COVID-19 pandemic and the imposed restrictions had an impact on hospital traffic generation and the parking demand. The traffic flow patterns were slightly lower compared to the time before COVID-19. The parking demand was less due to the restrictions and the additional parking time due to screening had an insignificant impact on the parking demand.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar
Description
Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2021.
Keywords
Trip Generation, UCTD, Traffic flow -- Hospital, COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-, Automobile parking