Context and aims
On 1 December 2021 the High Volume Transport (HVT) Applied Research Programme hosted its third Research Knowledge Exchange (RKE) event to share and explore the evidence base into how transport systems in the poorest countries responded to the challenges of COVID-19. This event looked to offer lessons for the future development, use, and adaptation of transport infrastructure as an important strategic response to this pandemic and similar events that might follow.
HVT is a five year, £18 million investment by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to undertake research into issues of sustainable transport development across Africa and South Asia. It aims to help inform the decisions of policy makers in low income countries to make road and rail transport greener, safer, more accessible, affordable and inclusive, and assist good investment decisions that will in particular help drive sustainable economic development and poverty reduction simultaneously being mindful of environmental concerns, especially climate change.
When the pandemic emerged in 2020, the HVT research programme identified that transport systems would play a crucial role in mitigating the spread of the disease and also keep economies moving, yet there was very little evidence of what worked and what did not in these new uncertain times. The research programme awarded 20 research projects in an attempt to bridge this gap, which formed a portfolio of COVID-19 Response and Recovery Transport Research initiatives.
The RKE half day virtual event launched a compendium highlighting the findings from all 20 projects followed by exploration of the critical issues that the research uncovered, with the aim of supporting sustainable and resilient transport systems for the future in the poorest countries of the world. Nearly 100 participants attended with registrants from 51 countries, with a range of backgrounds including policy makers, researchers, civil society representatives and transport and development specialists. An opening plenary gave an overview of the research followed by three workshops on: Inclusion, Urban Transport and Economic Resilience, eincluding presentations from the authors of seven of the 20 research projects.
This event was seen to be of potential interest to the readers of the journal because it offered an insight into the potential use of infrastructure (in this case transport infrastructure) at different scales and sectors in response to a global mega event (still ongoing) with potentially catastrophic implications for development world wide if unaddressed. A review of the event provides an opportunity to reflect on whether investing in knowledge exchange and innovation in the transport sector on multiple strategic fronts with common goals of sustainability may broadly be considered in policy terms a megaproject in its own right with benefit implications collectively potentially far outstripping what one mega infrastructure project might produce at a fraction of the cost. The issues this event raised also beckons the question (among many others) as to whether demonstration projects at different scales and sectors of the kind outlined can in certain circumstances yield much more and better targeted benefits for the poor and excluded judged against a multiple set of sustainable development goals than any single megaproject might achieve. Finally, the event also offered insights that could possibly have implications for mega transport projects.
Keynote speaker
The keynote address, by Charlotte McClain-Nhlapo, Global Disability Advisor of the World Bank Group, highlighted gaps in transport provision for people with disabilities and the need to build back better. For many people with disabilities, their reality before the pandemic was not one of accessibility, so future planning should aim for the long term goal of a recovery that is inclusive, resilient to future shocks, accessible and sustainable for all. She referenced the World Bank’s commitment to universal access and their Covid-19 Crisis Response Approach Paper that highlights for all stakeholders to be deliberate about inclusion across all stages and areas of crisis response. She made two recommendations: firstly, include people with disabilities and their organisations in the planning process from beginning to end; and secondly, use a twin track approach by planning for inclusive mainstreaming solutions while also planning for activities targeted specifically for that people with disabilities.
Presentation of HVT research
Anne Joselin, Infrastructure Advisor at FCDO, introduced the research by saying that the FCDO is pleased to see what is being learned through this research as we start to disseminate the results. She hoped they will make a difference, both if this kind of research needs to be done again, and also how to move forward building back better from the pandemic.
The findings from all 20 projects were then presented by HVT Team Leader Dr Bernard Obika:
The Global Transport Knowledge Portal (GTKP).
Moving towards gender equitable public transport operations in a post COVID-19 world.
COVID-19 impacts on the peri-urban mobility of women and vulnerable households in Madagascar.
Gaining or losing ground: Ensuring that post COVID-19 transportation serves the needs oof women in low-income Sub-Saharan African cities.
User Guide: Best practice on designing for equitable public transport networks through accessibility modelling.
Analysis of Public Transport Inclusiveness among Persons with Disabilities during COVID-19 in Benin City, Nigeria.
Impacts of COVID-19 on mobility of elderly people and people with disabilities in low-income countries.
What are the impacts of and responses to COVID-19 in addressing the mobility of people with disabilities?
Making Transport in Low Income Countries Resilient to Pandemics: A Planning Guide
The impact of COVID-19 on Tanzanian transport sector and the economy.
Africa’s response to COVID-19 and its impact on transport and mobility of people and goods. A review of policy and practice in seven African countries.
Economic impact and infection control measures of COVID-19 in the public transport sector in Nepal.
Tactical Transit Lanes in mitigating the impact of COVID-19 in cities in Sub Saharan Africa.
Legislative and Regulatory Risk Management for Mass Transportation Providers in Low-income Countries to Mitigate the Financial Effect of COVID-19.
Modelling the links between transport, air quality and COVID-19 spread in Dhaka and Bangladesh.
Accelerating COVID-19 related ‘best practice’ in the urban motorcycle taxi sector in sub-Saharan Africa.
A survey of innovative road transport solutions in Nigeria in response to Covid-19 pandemic.
Post COVID-19 Mobility: Key levers to reform urban transport systems.
Learning from COVID-19 pop up bicycle infrastructure: an investigation into flexible and user-led bicycle planning in Cape Town, Nairobi, and Kampala.
How exposed have transport workforces been to COVID-19 and what solutions are available to reduce risk and exposure?
Highlights from the research
Overall, the research concluded that there is an urgent need to develop transport systems that make transport more resilient to future pandemics. Some of the key takeaways from the research included:
Restriction of transport services during the pandemic led to losses in livelihoods, transport businesses, taxes and toll revenues. It also caused delays in freight services and a myriad of other disruptions with severe consequences for economies and people’s health and wellbeing. Many public transport operators and governments in LICs/lower middle income countries (LMICs) (unlike those in high income countries (HICs) and middle income countries (MICs) did not institute emergency regulations. Often this left them exposed to financial risks resulting from legal action by people exposed to COVID-19 in the transport systems.
Pre-pandemic inequalities related to gender and disabilities widened as a result of COVID-19. Over 85% of women work in the informal sector in LICs and were more likely to have lost their sources of income and suffer domestic violence.
Dramatic localised improvements in air quality occurred virtually everywhere where traffic levels dropped as a result of lockdown. Modelling of the links between air quality, transport and COVID-19 in Bangladesh showed that local weather patterns and policy caused great variations in air quality. This can have immediate impact on air pollution and reduce the over 4.6m people that die every year due to poor air quality.
A direct correlation between increased mobility and increase in spread of diseases, thus validating the policy measures that restricted mobility.
In higher income countries, due to lockdown, there was a reduction in number of road accidents, but number of fatalities increased. This was also observed in LICs. but more complex in rural areas in LICs where in some cases both levels of accidents and fatalities increased.
In some South Asian countries, public transport restrictions were less comprehensive than India, which suspended all modes of transport except for essential goods and health workers. In southern and East Africa, cross-border restrictions led to freight disruptions and shortage of essential goods. In West Africa many poor transport workers protested against lockdown despite cash-strapped governments distributing limited assistance in the form of food and essential supplies.
In Nigeria, the pandemic became a force for innovation and change amongst transport workers who developed new businesses, increased the use of IT technology, and improved sanitation systems and enforcement at transport hubs.
People in seven African countries felt strongly that, despite the inconvenience of social distancing and capacity restrictions, daily commute and travel was generally more comfortable and safer due to fewer passengers. They suggested that this, alongside other measures that promote safety and reliability, could be made more permanent.
Through research in Cape Town, Uganda and Nairobi, much was learnt about active transport. This included what is required to improve walking and cycling policy but also on the important role Tactical Transit Lanes can play in rapidly growing LIC cities.
Overall, the event concluded that much more research and access to research is vital. As part of the RKE, Susanna Zammataro, Director General of the International Road Federation (IRF) presented the Global Transport Knowledge Portal – an online platform providing fast track, easy access for low income and middle income countries to up to date learning resources and good practices on COVID-19 impacts and responses.
Workshops
Following the plenary sessions, the RKE held three workshops focussing on the key areas of inclusion, urban transport and economic resilience, for attendees to hear the new research and to bring their own experiences to a discussion on the topic set by the moderators.
At the Inclusion Workshop, Research Consultant Gail Jennings presented her findings on the impacts of mobility restrictions on women during Covid-19. Sonal Shah, founder of The Urban Catalysts, then spoke about the pandemic’s impact on poor women's mobility, and how transport could address gender inequity in low income and middle income countries in South Asia. Finally, Professor M. Shafiq Ur-Rahman from the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh presented his research into the changed travel of elderly and disabled people due to Covid.
The inclusion workshop moderator, Ann Frye, summarised the discussion and identified the five most important lessons that have been learnt from the impact of Covid on vulnerable groups, which should be built into policy and planning for future development:
Policy makers need to identify key groups of people – including women and disabled people, who they should consult and establish a regular dialogue.
The experience of Covid-19 by women who are poor was made worse by their lack of literacy in digital matters. Their digital literacy needs to be improved.
Consider what will make women feel safer on public transport – such as dedicated safety teams.
Making transport accessible reduces dependence and deprivation of people with disabilities.
Universal design doesn’t always address the needs of women, it’s very much focused on the needs of people with disabilities. Universal design needs to be explored to include the wider population of vulnerable people.
At the Urban Transport Workshop Rutul Joshi, from CEPT University in Gujarat, India, spoke about his work on scaling up sustainable urban transport agendas and building resilience in the post-Covid world. Constant Cap, Urban Planner and Product Manager at Code for Africa, then presented the findings from his investigation into the use of bicycles in Sub Saharan Africa. The moderator Holger Dalkmann, said in summary that the sessions highlighted that there had been a significant decline in the effectiveness and use of public transport, whilst seeing an increase in car use and buying cars, and an increase in walking and cycling.
He went on to say that the workshop identified two key areas of change. Firstly, use the momentum from increased use of cycling to become a systematic change in bike use. And secondly, public transport needs to bring together the informal and formal sectors if transport systems are going to work for those most in need of it in times of crisis like a pandemic – such as women and the health workforce. How to achieve these changes was then discussed, and seven areas were identified:
Use the shock of the pandemic to strengthen systems.
Encourage participation in planning by strengthening activist groups to find ways for their voices to be heard.
Produce better data and more evidence for better planning.
Encourage budget shifts to support public transport, walking and cycling schemes.
Implement these shifts incrementally and target those who need it most.
Acknowledge health and safety are key arguments for better transport systems.
Facilitate the greater use of electrification as part of a systematic reform.
At the third workshop, focusing on Economic Resilience, Kevin McPherson of TRL spoke about the production of a guide to help transport planners, public health planners and transport operators improve resilience to future pandemics. Then Dr Jagadish C. Pokharel of the Nepal Institute for Urban and Regional Studies, presented how confidence in public transport through enforcement of health protocols can contribute to economic revitalisation in a post pandemic context.
Moderator Bruce Thompson identified from the discussion five key areas to make transport, and the use of transport, more resilient in the future:
Transport operators and governments need to work together to make passengers feel safe with travelling. Key to this is listening to the right people and providing funds to set up stakeholder groups and resources for them to operate.
Small incentives and practical steps are valuable in increasing confidence amongst passengers and help transport providers to respond to control measures.
Broader ownership of planned changes are needed to effectively introduce mandatory regulations. Existing forums and health and transport ambassadors are important for this.
Supply chain and logistical hubs need special attention because when disrupted, they cause significant negative economic impact. This calls for increased dialogue between freight forwarders, logistical organisations and transport operators working at both a domestic and regional level to keep supply chains open and to keep logistical hubs working.
Establishing effective monitoring to better understand pandemic related situations as they developed is crucial to help cope with similar challenges that might arise in the future, as we emerge from the current pandemic.
Closing
The event represented a valuable opportunity for the sharing of ideas. In closing the event, HVT Team Leader Bernard Obika summed up its success by stating that he firmly believed that the Compendium and the RKE offer a significant contribution to the arsenal of evidence to changing the narrative for more resilient transport systems.
HVT has a number of Research Knowledge Exchange events planned for the year, each based on the latest research in key issues impacting sustainable transport, inviting exploration of those attending into how applied research can be transformed into effective responses for future challenges on the ground - and influencing further development and use of sustainable transport infrastructure in Africa, South Asia, and potentially other global regions populated by poor and other marginalised communities.
Web links
High Volume Transport Programme: www.transport-links.com
Compendium of Covid-19 Response and Recovery Research: https://transport-links.com/download/covid-19-response-and-recovery-research-an-evidence-base-for-a-resilient-future/
Read more about the RKE and watch the full event: https://transport-links.com/research-knowledge-exchange-generates-new-thinking-in-response-to-covid-19-and-transport/