Subway usage in New York City has decreased dramatically during the current COVID-19 pandemic, prompting architects, urban planners, and transportation specialists to wonder what life will look like after the city has reopened. Could New York ever become a more bicycle and pedestrian friendly city? To better understand if New Yorkers are actually replacing subway trips with alternative modes of transportation — such as bus, bikes, or scooters — Brown Institute’s Juan Francisco Saldarriaga has been mapping, visualizing, and analyzing New York’s transportation data. His research aims to understand the magnitude and spatial distribution of these changes, and their relationship to economic and demographic factors.
To learn more about Juan’s current research, check out his recent interview with Columbia Science Review or his presentation at the 16th Virtual COVID-19 Symposium organized by Columbia University.