Citizens’ perception analysis of public transport and smart technologies in the Brazilian capitals during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Abstract

Amidst the consequences of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the overall trip decrease and public transport modal share contraction pose a critical dilemma towards urban mobility. Through a questionnaire in Brazilian capitals, the present article considered (1) the citizens’ safety perception of urban mobility and public transport before and during the pandemic, (2) an estimated perception of the post-pandemic, (3) perception of safety regarding both traditional and smart measures, and (4) the concern about data use and privacy. Findings indicated an increase in private cars (41%) and ride-sourcing services (442%) use and a decrease in public transport modes during the pandemic, with an expectation of a post-pandemic modal split following the same pattern. According to respondents, most measures implemented resumes to traditional individual ones, without a systemic approach or smart initiatives. About the latter, a contrasting result was obtained, where there is a high safety perception if implemented with a low security perception over data use and privacy. In this sense, operators, public authorities, city planners and users must observe systemic sanitary measures, regulatory laws and transparency over data use and privacy, democratic and inclusive decision-making processes to address urban vulnerabilities and ensure safe public transport during and after the pandemic.