The Impact of Pandemic Wave on Work Patterns and Commuting Frequency: A Retrospective Survey Analysis of COVID-19 Data in Shanghai

Public health crises profoundly impact work activities and commuting behaviors. The multiple waves of COVID-19 outbreaks across cities worldwide have demonstrated that people voluntarily or involuntarily adapt their work patterns, such as shifting to remote work, and adjust their commuting choices. This study investigates changes in commuting behaviors among urban residents during three pandemic wave stages: prewave, outbreak, and postwave, focusing on work patterns, commuting frequency, and key influencing factors. A retrospective longitudinal survey was conducted in Shanghai after the first wave of COVID-19 outbreak to collect information on respondents’ work, commuting, pandemic-related, and sociodemographic characteristics. Descriptive analysis and statistical tests revealed a 35% increase in telecommuting and a 50% decrease in commuting trips during the outbreak, with near-normal levels postwave. Multinomial logit models identified key factors influencing commuting frequency, such as telecommuting, weekly working hours, and direct commutes to workplaces. Telecommuting increased commuting frequency prewave, decreased it during the outbreak, and continued to reduce it postwave. Work intensity consistently increased commuting frequency, with the most significant impact prewave and the least during the outbreak. The findings provide insights for policymakers to better understand and enhance strategies in response to unforeseen public events, including potential future pandemics like Disease X.