Şehir İçi Ana Arterlerde COVID-19 Kısıtlamalarından Dolayı Trafik Akımlarında Meydana Gelen Değişimlerin İncelenmesi: Antalya Örneği Investigation of Changes in Traffic Flows due to COVID-19 Restrictions in Urban Main Arterials: Example of Antalya

AYDIN, Metin Mutlu; DAĞLI, Eren; ÇORUH, Emine · 2021 · Crossref

DOI: 10.31198/idealkent.999592

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Summary

This study investigates the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on traffic flow characteristics in urban main arterials, using Antalya, Turkey, as a pilot city. The research addresses the need for quantitative data on traffic variability caused by pandemic-related measures, such as curfews and capacity limits, to inform future transportation planning and policy decisions. While global literature indicates significant drops in public transport usage and shifts toward private vehicle use, this study aims to provide a detailed, day-by-day analysis of how specific restriction types (e.g., weekend curfews vs. full lockdowns) affect vehicle counts in a Turkish urban context. The methodology involved field observations and video recordings at four specific points on two major arterials in Antalya city center: Atatürk Boulevard and Bülent Ecevit Boulevard. Data collection occurred between September 2020 and May 2021, covering various days and time intervals. Researchers analyzed traffic flow rates in 15-minute increments to estimate daily and monthly vehicle numbers, comparing these figures against pre-pandemic baselines and correlating them with specific government restrictions, including age-based curfews, weekend lockdowns, and a total lockdown period in April–May 2021. The results reveal significant fluctuations in traffic volume directly correlated with restriction policies. During days with active restrictions, vehicle counts decreased substantially. For instance, the total lockdown period from late April to mid-May 2021 caused unprecedented drops in traffic, with vehicle numbers falling to one-third of previous levels at all observation points. Conversely, on days without restrictions, traffic volumes remained close to pre-pandemic levels. This finding confirms that despite a national increase in registered vehicles, drivers shifted from public transport to private cars during the pandemic, maintaining baseline traffic levels when movement was permitted. The study also noted regional variations, with Atatürk Boulevard showing sharper declines than Bülent Ecevit Boulevard, and identified specific anomalies such as traffic spikes before holidays (e.g., Ramadan) despite ongoing restrictions. The significance of this study lies in its provision of empirical evidence for transportation planners regarding the volatility of traffic flows during health crises. It demonstrates that traffic planning cannot rely on static historical data during pandemics, as restriction policies cause immediate and drastic changes in vehicle counts. The findings suggest that while lockdowns effectively reduce traffic, the shift toward private vehicle usage sustains baseline congestion levels when restrictions are lifted. This insight is crucial for designing resilient urban transport systems and formulating policies that account for behavioral shifts in mobility during future public health emergencies.

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• traffic density