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Virginia Tech

Impact of COVID-19 on Public Transit and Micromobility Ridership

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

The Coronavirus pandemic changed the normal lives across the country as strategies for mitigating the spread of the virus were put in place. Daily life was moved to a virtual setting as much as possible and typical mobility purposes changed or were eliminated. Shared transportation ridership declined dramatically in response to the pandemic, with reported drops of up to 90% across the United States. Mobility providers were tasked with determining strategies to encourage ridership during the risky time. The main research question that was explored in this study was, "What is the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on public transit and micromobility ridership?" The study aimed to determine important factors that potential riders considered and emphasized in their decision making. The research approach was to use a custom-developed stated preference survey. The survey collected opinions about public transit and micromobility ridership during and emerging from the Coronavirus pandemic. The study focused on Blacksburg, VA as it has both public transit and micromobility services. Personal characteristics and stated important factors that influenced potential rider decisions were determined to understand what is most important to potential riders. Mobility providers can use these findings to better address rider concerns and make informed decisions on provided service. Therefore, encouraging an increase in shared transportation ridership.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Civil Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2021

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Dietrich, Cara A.
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Heaslip, Kevin Patrick
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Hancock, Kathleen
  • Katz, Bryan J.

Subjects

dc:subject × 2

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
vt_gsexam:28867
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/104219

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Dietrich, Cara A.. Impact of COVID-19 on Public Transit and Micromobility Ridership. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/104219