The Hub 3/27/2020: Clean Air Council’s Weekly Round-Up of Transportation News

“The Hub” is a weekly round-up of transportation related news in the Philadelphia area and beyond. Check back weekly to keep up to date on the issues Clean Air Council’s transportation staff finds important.

 

PlanPhilly: Social distancing outside: Where to walk without crowds – Plan Philly has some great ideas of places to get outside during social distancing. Visit GoPhillyGo.org to find more places to walk and bike during the fight against COVID-19.

 

The Inquirer:  After 94% ridership drop, SEPTA Regional Rail ‘essential service schedule’ starts Sunday – SEPTA Regional Rail and PATCO have drastically reduced service in response to COVID-19 ridership loss. Updated schedules can be found on SEPTA.org. SEPTA urges people to stay home and only use public transit if necessary, in an effort to protect essential workers who must still travel to work.

 

Billy Penn: Philly social distancing map: 50% less movement, data company says  – Unacast, a Norweigen “human mobility” data company, is tracking the way COVID-19 is affecting how people are moving in cities across the world. Philadelphians have reduced travel by 52%. The surrounding counties of Delaware, Montgomery, and Camden, NJ have all had even greater reductions in travel.

 

Smart Cities Dive: Study Finds COVID-19 Wipes Out Traffic Congestion in U.S. Cities – Travel restrictions in cities and states across the country have drastically reduced vehicle miles traveled. Analytic company INRIX analyzed travel times in the 25 most popular cities and found congestion to be drastically reduced, especially in city centers.

 

CityLab: In a Global Health Emergency, the Bicycle Shines – As people avoid crowds to stop the spread of COVID-19, cycling is growing worldwide. While it is imperative to stay home if you are able, individuals need to travel for necessities or to work their essential jobs. Active transportation allows you to keep your social distance while getting from place to place.

 

Image Source: Plan Philly