Post-COVID Pandemic National Travel Changes
Post-COVID Pandemic National Travel Changes
Travel behavior in the US has changed more in the past few years than at any time in living memory.
While some travel patterns have returned to normal since the COVID-19 pandemic, others have not. Traffic volumes, transit ridership, and broader commuting habits still differ significantly from pre-pandemic levels.
In 2024, the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) formed a task force to analyze this shift. Ian Barnes of Fehr & Peers contributed to that research and co-wrote an article for ITE Journal sharing the group’s findings.
Read the full article to learn more about this ongoing research, and contact us to explore how it could apply to your projects.
share this article
Contributor
Ian Barnes
Explore More
2026 Staff Promotions
Join us in congratulating the 167 team members who earned promotions for their outstanding contributions this year.
Driving Less Starts with Building Differently
How much can planning decisions actually reduce driving? Our latest research introduces a statistical model that links built environment choices—such as density, transit service, walkability, and land use mix—to vehicle miles traveled (VMT). The findings give planners and policymakers practical, evidence-based tools to evaluate scenarios, understand tradeoffs, and make more informed transportation and land use decisions.
Navigating VMT Under CEQA
VMT under CEQA continues to evolve as agencies, practitioners, and decision makers work through analysis methods, mitigation feasibility, and defensible evidence. Our new Q&A resource offers practical answers on vehicle miles traveled, SB 743, mitigation program design, implementation, administration, and legal and strategic considerations.





