A vulnerability-based approach to human-mobility reduction for countering COVID-19 transmission in London while considering local air quality
Autor
Sasidharan, Manu
Singh, Ajit
Eskandari Torbaghan, Mehran
Kumar Parlikad, Ajith
Institución
Resumen
An ecologic analysis was conducted to explore the correlation between air pollution, and COVID-19 cases and fatality rates in London. The analysis demonstrated a strong correlation (R2 N 0.7) between increment in air pollution and an increase in the risk of COVID-19 transmission within London boroughs. Particularly, strong
correlations (R2 N 0.72) between the risk of COVID-19 fatality and nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter pollution concentrations were found. Although this study assumed the same level of air pollution across a particular
London borough, it demonstrates the possibility to employ air pollution as an indicator to rapidly identify the
city's vulnerable regions. Such an approach can inform the decisions to suspend or reduce the operation of different public transport modes within a city. The methodology and learnings from the study can thus aid in public
transport's response to COVID-19 outbreak by adopting different levels of human-mobility reduction strategies
based on the vulnerability of a given region.