Publication: Risk perception and travel behavior change during covid-19 pandemic in Malaysia
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Date
2023-06-01
Authors
Surachai A/L Airak
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Abstract
The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted people’s travelling due to the restrictive policies implemented by governments around the world. This, in return, has caused a chain reaction and disrupted different sectors. Although there have been studies on the impact of COVID-19 on travel behaviour in Malaysia, little has been carried out on two different periods of the same pandemic. Therefore, this study aims to determine the risk perception of Malaysians towards COVID-19 and changes in travel behaviour focusing on two phases of the pandemic. Quantitative method involving a national cross-sectional survey was conducted online to collect data from two separate periods namely before and after interstate travel was allowed. The first survey was carried out for approximately three months (June 7th, 2021, to August 27th, 2021), and managed to obtain 2129 respondents; meanwhile, the second period took around four months (October 18th, 2021, to March 9th, 2022), and managed to obtain 2217 respondents. . The questionnaire comprises socio-demographics, experience with COVID-19, risk perception of COVID-19, and trip frequency on several activities during the pandemic. Firstly, a descriptive analysis was done to obtain information about the respondents. Next, Mann-Whitney U was conducted to determine whether there were statistically significant differences between the sociodemographic factors for the respondents in the first and second surveys. Results show no significant difference in socio-demographic factors except for the level of education.. A comparison was also made for travel behaviour. Results for both surveys showed that the frequencies across all activities significantly decreased in the second phase of data collection compared to the first phase. The findings also showed that risk perception also varies between both periods. Finally, structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to obtain the significant factors affecting risk perception, precautionary measures, travel risk perception, and travel behaviour. During the first survey, SEM found that occupation positively affected risk perception. Precautionary measures were affected by occupation and risk perception; meanwhile, travel risk perception was affected by precautionary measures and risk perception. Finally, travel behaviour was influenced by occupation and risk perception. During the second survey, risk perception was affected by occupation. The frequency of precautionary measures was affected by occupation and risk perception. Travel risk perception was not affected by any variables. In addition, travel behaviour was affected by occupation and risk perception. By understanding the influences of risk perception and occupation, alongside other factors on other variables, the government could get an idea of possible effects post-crisis, such as the transition towards a more virtual setting in certain sectors, which will decrease mobility, and possible change in transport modes once the pandemic is over. This, therefore, could help them manage and distribute necessary resources to rectify the negative impacts brought by COVID-19.