COVID-19 pandemic and automobile transport: lessons from the first wave

The general results of the work of the automobile transport in the world during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, summed up on the results of the work of the Special Group on COVID-19 of the World Road Association, based on the materials of almost three dozen webinars with the participation of representatives from many countries of the world. It is emphasized that the automobile transport during the pandemic was able to maintain efficiency and ensure the transport of passengers and critical goods to maintain the vitality of national economies. The features of the work of the automobile transport during the pandemic and accompanying lockdowns, including the impact of the drop in traffic on the financial condition of the automobile and automobile industry, disclosed. Based on the generalization and assessment of world experience, recommendations formulated on the organization of passenger and freight traffic, routine maintenance and repair of roads, road construction, management of the road industry with a wide organization of remote work of office personnel and the intensive use of information and computer technologies during pandemics. Proposals made for the further organization of the work of the automobile and automobile industry based on the forecast of the wave development of the COVID-19 pandemic and possible similar global disasters.

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