Analysis of population flow on holidays with COVID-19 pandemic using mobile phone location information data in the Tokyo metropolitan area

Abstract

In this study, we analyzed the holiday population flow with COVID-19 pandemic in the Tokyo metropolitan area using mobile spatial statistics which is a type of mobile phone location data. Specifically we examined time-series changes in trip generation and trip attraction by prefecture and distribution characteristics by trip distance using population data from residence to place of stay every four months from 2019 to 2022. The results suggested trip generation and trip attraction decreased as well as behavioral changes such as a shift to short-distance travel that under the declaration of a state of emergency in May 2020 and January 2021. In addition, from May 2021 onwards, trip generation and trip attraction increased gradually regardless of whether a state of emergency was declared, and the composition ratio by travel distance was almost the same as in 2019. This result suggests that travel behavior on holidays was close to pre- COVID-19 pandemic levels.