Mobility and COVID-19 …
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risk, resulting in severe economic impacts on this sector. These acute changes have
led governments and citizens to rethink their approach to urban mobility.
COVID-19 adaptations and distancing measures will stay in place for the foreseeable future. How we can keep private motorized vehicle use low, restore confidence
in public transport use and promote active mobility for a sustainable, equitable,
habitable and healthy society after the pandemic?
3 What Are the Main Mobility-Related Health Impacts
Related to COVID-19?
3.1 Air Pollution
Motorized traffic in cities is the main contributor to air pollution, especially particulate matter ≤2.5 mm (PM 2.5 ) and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ). Worldwide, outdoor air
pollution causes over four million deaths each year. Air pollution is also starting to
be linked with the COVID-19 disease. Preliminary evidence suggests higher viral
spread, development of more severe COVID-19 disease progressions and increased
COVID-19-related mortality in more polluted areas (Ogen 2020; Setti et al. 2020;
Wu et al. 2020).
Air pollution levels have dropped in many cities worldwide due to the confinement
measures, lower economic activity and decrease in mobility. However, long-term
reductions are needed to achieve significant health benefits (Barcelona Institute for
Global Health 2020). The current crisis shows that major reductions in air pollution
levels are possible and offers a critical opportunity to make lasting positive health
impacts through more active and sustainable urban mobility solutions. Changes in
infrastructure and policy to facilitate and incentivize active and sustainable transport
are urgently needed to avoid a pollution rebound effect.
3.2 Noise
Regular exposure to environmental noise contributes to persistent stress and annoyance, sleep disturbance, and in the long term leads to chronic conditions such as
cardiovascular disease and diabetes (Van Kempen et al. 2018). Road traffic is usually
the main source of noise in many cities. COVID-19 confinement has led to an enormous decrease in noise in cities worldwide: Paris has recorded a 90% reduction
in some streets; in Madrid and Barcelona, levels dropped massively by 13 and 11
decibels, respectively, compared with the 2019 average.
Quieter cities are possible; however, short-term reductions are not sufficient to
improve health. Cities need to reinforce plans for changes in mobility patterns to
maintain longer-term lower noise levels.
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risk, resulting in severe economic impacts on this sector. These acute changes have
led governments and citizens to rethink their approach to urban mobility.
COVID-19 adaptations and distancing measures will stay in place for the foreseeable future. How we can keep private motorized vehicle use low, restore confidence
in public transport use and promote active mobility for a sustainable, equitable,
habitable and healthy society after the pandemic?
3 What Are the Main Mobility-Related Health Impacts
Related to COVID-19?
3.1 Air Pollution
Motorized traffic in cities is the main contributor to air pollution, especially particulate matter ≤2.5 mm (PM 2.5 ) and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ). Worldwide, outdoor air
pollution causes over four million deaths each year. Air pollution is also starting to
be linked with the COVID-19 disease. Preliminary evidence suggests higher viral
spread, development of more severe COVID-19 disease progressions and increased
COVID-19-related mortality in more polluted areas (Ogen 2020; Setti et al. 2020;
Wu et al. 2020).
Air pollution levels have dropped in many cities worldwide due to the confinement
measures, lower economic activity and decrease in mobility. However, long-term
reductions are needed to achieve significant health benefits (Barcelona Institute for
Global Health 2020). The current crisis shows that major reductions in air pollution
levels are possible and offers a critical opportunity to make lasting positive health
impacts through more active and sustainable urban mobility solutions. Changes in
infrastructure and policy to facilitate and incentivize active and sustainable transport
are urgently needed to avoid a pollution rebound effect.
3.2 Noise
Regular exposure to environmental noise contributes to persistent stress and annoyance, sleep disturbance, and in the long term leads to chronic conditions such as
cardiovascular disease and diabetes (Van Kempen et al. 2018). Road traffic is usually
the main source of noise in many cities. COVID-19 confinement has led to an enormous decrease in noise in cities worldwide: Paris has recorded a 90% reduction
in some streets; in Madrid and Barcelona, levels dropped massively by 13 and 11
decibels, respectively, compared with the 2019 average.
Quieter cities are possible; however, short-term reductions are not sufficient to
improve health. Cities need to reinforce plans for changes in mobility patterns to
maintain longer-term lower noise levels.