A topology-based evaluation of resilience on urban road networks against epidemic spread: Implications for COVID-19 responses

Abstract

Road closure is an effective measure to reduce mobility and prevent the spread of an epidemic in severe public health crises. For instance, during the peak waves of the global COVID-19 pandemic, many countries implemented road closure policies, such as the traffic-calming strategy in the UK. However, it is still not clear how such road closures, if used as a response to different modes of epidemic spreading, affect the resilient performance of large-scale road networks in terms of their efficiency and overall accessibility. In this paper, we propose a simulation-based approach to theoretically investigate two types of spreading mechanisms and evaluate the effectiveness of both static and dynamic response scenarios, including the sporadic epidemic spreading based on network topologies and trajectory-based spreading caused by superspreaders in megacities. The results showed that (1) the road network demonstrates comparatively worse resilient behavior under the trajectory-based spreading mode; (2) the road density and centrality order, as well as the network's regional geographical characteristics, can substantially alter the level of impacts and introduce heterogeneity into the recovery processes; and (3) the resilience lost under static recovery and dynamic recovery scenarios is 8.6 and 6.9%, respectively, which demonstrates the necessity of a dynamic response and the importance of making a systematic and strategic recovery plan. Policy and managerial implications are also discussed. This paper provides new insights for better managing the resilience of urban road networks against public health crises in the post-COVID era.

Spatial Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Night Cultural and Tourism Consumption Agglomeration Areas in China

“…Moreover, China has experienced increased economic downward pressure in recent years [78] with high unemployment; thus, livelihood issues must be addressed as well. Meanwhile, the impact of the global COVID-19 epidemic has led to a certain degree of spatial isolation in China [79], causing public anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems [2], [8], providing a contrasting pressure to the increasing public demand for tourism and leisure. Coupled with the fact that some problems [80], [81] have emerged during the implementation of new urbanization in China in recent years, such as the similarity of town development patterns and the loss of traditional culture [82], the National Development and Reform Commission of China has been exploring new paths for urbanization development, aiming to maintain sustainable and healthy economic development.…”

Quantifying Road Transport Resilience to Emergencies: Evidence from China

“…Overall, the impact of COVID-19 on transportation is significant [34,35] and negative [36][37][38], which is agreed generally. Meanwhile, the existing research has also observed that (1) the impact of the pandemic on transport varies by region [39,40]; (2) external intervention in the prevention and control of the pandemic can produce positive temporal and spatial effects [3,6,41]. Among the studies on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on transport, the studies in the field of road transport are few, and the studies that have quantified the resilience of road transport to the COVID-19 pandemic are even fewer.…”

A Systematic Literature Review of the Hybrid Methodologies in Assessing Flood Indirect Impacts on Transportation

“…It is worth noting that this systematic literature review (SLR) only concentrates on the indirect effects of floods on transportation. However, if a broader range of disasters, such as the spread of epidemics [55], or a wider context of analysis, such as network resilience [56,57], is considered, it will be observed that more modes of transportation are included.…”