Suwon Traffic Volume Decreases on Weekends and at Night Since COVID-19 Outbreak

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] As citizens reduce outdoor activities due to COVID-19, traffic volume in Suwon has also decreased.

Suwon City's Urban Integrated Safety Center conducted comparative measurements of traffic volume on major arterial roads over two periods: January 6-12 and February 24 - March 1.

Traffic volume was measured using road-embedded loop detectors at 12 locations including Hyowon Underground Passage (Gyeongsu Daero), in front of Shinmyeong Apartment (Jungbu Daero), in front of Ipbuk-dong Administrative Office (Suin-ro), and in front of Shindae Reservoir (Gwanggyo Lake-ro). Measurements were taken for daytime, nighttime, weekend, morning rush hour (7-8 a.m.), and evening rush hour (6-7 p.m.) traffic.

The results showed that weekend (1-2 p.m.) traffic decreased by 21.9% and nighttime (9-10 p.m.) traffic decreased by 16.1%. Daytime (1-2 p.m.) traffic also declined by 10.7%.

South Korea's first confirmed case occurred on January 20. The second traffic measurement period of February 24 - March 1 coincided with a sharp increase in confirmed cases centered in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province.

Analysts attribute the decrease in daytime and nighttime traffic to citizens refraining from social gatherings and cultural activities following the COVID-19 outbreak. Weekend traffic, which also saw fewer outings, showed the largest decline.

Although overall traffic volume decreased, morning rush hour traffic increased by 3.6% and evening rush hour traffic increased by 2.8%. This appears to reflect an increase in citizens commuting by private vehicle instead of public transportation due to COVID-19 spread.

A center official stated, "It appears that traffic volume has decreased as citizens are refraining from unnecessary outings due to COVID-19 spread," and analyzed, "The reduction in evening and weekend traffic appears to be affecting local economic downturn."