React Fast and Predict the Future Perfectly How an unprecedented pandemic changed transit planning By Darren Manley, PhD & Bjorn Radstrom, P. Eng., Winnipeg Transit
WINNIPEG TRANSIT
The Arrival of COVID-19
rapidly spreading in China. Of great concern was not only the source of the virus but also how
19
Fall 2019 found us at Winnipeg Transit preparing
quickly it was spreading and the severity/fatality
for the opening of the second leg of our
of the illness. First appearing in China in
Southwest Transitway. Routes were being created,
December 2019, the infection—now called COVID-
modified and/or extended to provide increased,
19 (severe acute respiratory syndrome
improved and—in many cases—new service to the
coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2])—spread to North
southwest area of the city. However, as fall
America with the first case identified on January
transitioned to winter, reports began appearing
23 in the state of Washington, January 24 in
regarding a flu-like illness—a “coronavirus” was
Chicago, and Toronto on January 25.
TRANSPORTATION TALK