Assessing the spatial distribution of and inequality in 15-minute PCR test site accessibility in Beijing and Guangzhou, China.

China has been planning to construct SARS-CoV-2 antigen testing sites within a 15-min walk in most major cities to timely identify asymptomatic cases and stop the transmission of COVID-19. However, little is known about the spatial distribution of 15-min accessibility to PCR test sites. In this study, we analyze the spatial distribution of and inequality in 15-min accessibility to PCR test sites in two major Chinese cities (Beijing and Guangzhou) based on the cumulative-opportunity model. The results indicate that the current distribution of 15-min accessibility to PCR test sites is satisfactory when normal commuting is not disrupted. However, disruptions of normal commuting (e.g., due to work-from-home restrictions) can negatively influence 15-min accessibility to PCR test sites and increase its inequality. Our study provides policymakers with up-to-date knowledge about the spatial distribution of 15-min accessibility to PCR test sites, identifies the disadvantaged neighborhoods in terms of test site accessibility, and highlights the changes in accessibility and inequality because of travel disruptions.

Fire history influences large-herbivore behavior at circadian, seasonal, and successional scales.

Recurrent environmental changes often prompt animals to alter their behavior leading to predictable patterns across a range of temporal scales. The nested nature of circadian and seasonal behavior complicates tests for effects of rarer disturbance events like fire. Fire can dramatically alter plant community structure, with important knock-on effects at higher trophic levels, but the strength and timing of fire's effects on herbivores remain unclear. We combined prescribed fire treatments with fine-scale location data to quantify herbivore responses to fire across three temporal scales. Between 2001 and 2003, 26 stands of fir (Abies spp.) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) were thinned and burned; 27 similar stands were left untreated as experimental controls. Analyzing female elk (Cervus canadensis) locations across 21 yr (1996-2016), we found crepuscular, seasonal, and successional shifts in behavioral responses to fire. Elk displayed "commuting" behavior, avoiding burns during the day, but selecting them at night. Elk selection for burns was strongest in early summer and the relative probability of elk using burns peaked quickly (5 yr post burn) before gradually returning to pre-treatment levels (15 yr post burn). Our results demonstrate that fire history has complex, persistent effects on herbivore behavior, and suggest that herbivores benefit from heterogeneous landscapes containing a range of successional stages.

Interactive effects of the built environment and rail transit on commuting behavior: Evidence from Hefei, China.

A deep understanding of the underlying mechanisms of the built environment on commuting behavior along with rail transit is considered of great importance for both TOD land use and formulation of transport policies. The impact of the built environmental factors on commuting behavior has been already explored in the literature. However, the main focus has been laid on the separate effects of each factor and the interactions among these factors have been neglected. Along these lines, taking Hefei, China as the case, this work filled this gap by employing a social ecological model to systematically investigate the interactive effects of the built environment and urban rail transit on commuting behavior. From our analysis, it was demonstrated that land-use intensity was negatively correlated with car commuting, and mixed land use was positively related to metro commuting. Additionally, rail access near the workplace plays a key role in reducing car commuting than residential neighborhoods. This work revealed also some interesting findings on the association between rail transit and commuting behavior, which were significantly affected by land use intensity and mixed land-use. Our work provides valuable insights for the TOD land use to effectively reduce car commuting.

Insight into the nonlinear effect of COVID-19 on well-being in China: Commuting, a vital ingredient.

Background: COVID-19 had a devastating impact on people's work, travel, and well-being worldwide. As one of the first countries to be affected by the virus and develop relatively well-executed pandemic control, China has witnessed a significant shift in people's well-being and habits, related to both commuting and social interaction. In this context, what factors and the extent to which they contribute to well-being are worth exploring. Methods: Through a questionnaire survey within mainland China, 688 valid sheets were collected, capturing various aspects of individuals' life, including travel, and social status. Focusing on commuting and other factors, a Gradient Boosting Decision Tree (GBDT) model was developed based on 300 sheets reporting working trips, to analyze the effects on well-being. Two indicators, i.e., the Relative Importance (RI) and Partial Dependency Plot (PDP), were used to quantify and visualize the effects of the explanatory factors and the synergy among them. Results: Commuting characteristics are the most critical ingredients, followed by social interactions to explain subjective well-being. Commuting stress poses the most substantial effect. Less stressful commuting trips can solidly improve overall well-being. Better life satisfaction is linked with shorter confinement periods and increased restriction levels. Meanwhile, the switch from in-person to online social interactions had less impact on young people's life satisfaction. Older people were unsatisfied with this change, which had a significant negative impact on their life satisfaction. Conclusions: From the synergy of commuting stress and commuting time on well-being, the effect of commuting time on well-being is mediated by commuting stress in the case of China. Even if one is satisfied with online communication, the extent of enhancement on well-being is minimal, for it still cannot replace face-to-face interaction. The findings can be beneficial in improving the overall well-being of society during the pandemic and after the virus has been eradicated.

Exploring the Relationship between Built Environment and Commuting Mode Choice: Longitudinal Evidence from China.

The literature has offered much evidence regarding associations between the built environment (BE) and commuting behavior. However, most prior studies are conducted based on cross-sectional samples from developed countries, and little is known about the longitudinal link between BE and commuting behavior. Based on two rounds of survey data from China, this study examines relationships of BE with commuting mode choice from both cross-sectional and longitudinal perspectives. The effects of life-cycle events are considered within a unified framework. Results of the longitudinal examination of BE and commuting mode shift largely support the cross-sectional analysis. Specifically, promoting more balanced land use and improving residential density are important for car use reductions and active travel initiatives. Meanwhile, more balanced land use improves the probability of commuting by motorcycle and electric bike, but reduces the probability of commuting by public transit. This study also highlights the remarkable role played by life-cycle events in affecting commuting mode shifts.

Study on the Characteristics of Urban Residents' Commuting Behavior and Influencing Factors from the Perspective of Resilience Theory: Theoretical Construction and Empirical Analysis from Nanjing, China.

In the transitional period of China's urbanization, commuting problems and demands are diversified and multi-level, so commuting research topics, viewpoints, and analysis paths should be organically combined to dynamically adapt to the complex commuting contradictions. Based on this, this paper introduces the resilience theory to improve the research paradigm of commuting behavior. Taking Nanjing, China as a case study, with the help of the survey data of commuting behavior of typical communities, this paper provides an empirical analysis of the characteristics and influencing factors of urban residents' commuting behavior from the perspective of resilience theory. The results show that: (1) in the face of commuting pressure, to a large extent, most commuters can still obtain commuting adaptability and a medium level or higher of commuting resilience; and (2) personal attributes, living and employment environment, and commuting environment all have significant heterogeneity effects on commuting pressure, commuting adaptability, and commuting resilience. From the perspective of resilience theory, the means of regulating commuting conflicts are flexible, which can not only directly reduce commuting pressure or optimize commuting adaptability, but also improve commuting resilience according to the specific commuting scenarios constructed by commuting pressure and adaptability. On the whole, the principles of comprehensive improvement, on-demand supply, and dynamic adjustment should be followed.

Commuting behaviors and exposure to air pollution in Montreal, Canada.

BACKGROUND: Vehicular traffic is a major source of outdoor air pollution in urban areas, and studies have shown that air pollution is worse during hours of commuting to and from work and school. However, it is unclear to what extent different commuting behaviors are a source of air pollution compared to non-commuters, and if air pollution exposure actually differs by the mode of commuting. This study aimed to examine the relationships between commuting behaviors and air pollution exposure levels measured by urinary 1-OHP (1-hydroxypyrene), a biomarker of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 174 volunteers living in Montreal, 92 females and 82 males, aged 20 to 53 years was conducted in 2011. Each participant completed a questionnaire regarding demographic factors, commuting behaviors, home and workplace addresses, and potential sources of PAH exposure, and provided a complete first morning void urine sample for 1-OHP analysis. Multivariable general linear regression models were used to examine the relationships between different types of commuting and urinary 1-OHP levels. RESULTS: Compared to non-commuters, commuters traveling by foot or bicycle and by car or truck had a significantly higher urinary 1-OHP concentration in urine (p=0.01 for foot or bicycle vs. non-commuters; p=0.02 for car or truck vs. non-commuters); those traveling with public transportation and combinations of two or more types of modes tended to have an increased 1-OHP level in urine (p=0.06 for public transportation vs. non-commuters; p=0.05 for commuters with combinations of two or more types of modes vs. non-commuters). No significant difference in urinary 1-OHP variation was found by mode of commuting. CONCLUSION: This preliminary study suggests that despite the mode of commuting, all types of commuting during rush hours increase exposure to air pollution as measured by a sensitive PAH metabolite biomarker, and mode of commuting did not explain exposure variation.