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Containing the spatial spread of COVID-19 through the trucking network.

Authors :
Calatayud, Agustina
Bedoya-Maya, Felipe
Sánchez González, Santiago
Giraldez, Francisca
Source :
Transport Policy. Jan2022, Vol. 115, p4-13. 10p.
Publication Year :
2022

Abstract

The trucking industry is the backbone of domestic supply chains. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, road transportation has been essential to guarantee the supply of basic goods to confined urban areas. However, the connectivity of the trucking network can also act as an efficient virus spreader. This paper applies network science to uncover the characteristics of the trucking network in one major Latin American country −Colombia− and provides evidence on freight networks' ability to spread contagious diseases spatially. Network metrics, official COVID-19 records at the municipality level, and a zero-inflated negative binomial model are used to test the association between network topology and confirmed COVID-19 cases. Results suggest that: (i) the number of COVID-19 cases in a municipality is linked to its level and type of network centrality; and (ii) being a port-city and a primary economic hub in the trucking network is associated with a higher probability of contracting earlier a pandemic. Based on these results, a risk-based approach is proposed to help policymakers implement containment measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0967070X
Volume :
115
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Transport Policy
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
153928036
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2021.10.022