As COVID-19 has given all of our lives an unexpected turn, WTS-DC members reflect on what this virus may mean for our profession, for the traveling public, and for individuals trying to navigate this new reality. Here are some thoughts on transportation—present and future—as we live through a historic period for our careers and the world as a whole.

1. How has Covid-19 changed your day-to-day job responsibilities?

As a planner, I work on big transportation projects that, under the best of circumstances, won’t be built for several years. However, if we don’t plan for our future needs, we lose the ability to improve our cities and mobility systems for decades to come. The COVID-19 crisis is real and costly to so many people in so many ways. I’m challenged by how to tell a compelling story for future transportation investment when our leaders and the public have much more urgent and devastating challenges. (Haley Peckett, DDOT)

The work-from-home routine eliminated almost all person-to-person interaction, leaving only scheduled video calls. This almost strained the working relationships I have but it allowed me to benefit from longer thinking flow periods. In theory, I have maintained the work relationships and performed better. (Cerasela Cristei, T3 Design)

COVID-19 has changed my day-to-day responsibilities in that the field work component to my job has significantly decreased. For field work, I investigate traffic sign requests and determine if signs need to be installed, replaced, or removed. Since teleworking has become the new norm during this pandemic, more people are not driving, and thus traffic and pedestrian signs on the transportation network do not need the attention that Arlington County gives them. (Rebecca Moser, Arlington County)

2. How have you or your business been personally impacted by the virus or business closures?

I was working as a consultant at a small airline and the airline has been severely affected, losing approximately 90% of its business. As a result of this crisis, my role has ended. I think that people still want to travel for work and pleasure but are very worried about getting on an airplane. (Anita Beier, Retired Finance Executive)

Fortunately, I work for Arlington County Government and employee jobs are safe up until 2021. Government budgets are set a year in advance so thankfully, throughout this pandemic, I have maintained my job and continue to receive a paycheck. (Rebecca Moser, Arlington County)

The quote I like best is, “We’re all in the same storm, but we’re not in the same boat.” I’m lucky to have a job where I can telework, a healthy family, more hours to spend with my young children (remember when we said we wanted more of that?), and a husband who does way more than his share of childcare. Some of my family members and colleagues complain of the monotony of staying in; I really wish I could relieve their boredom by giving them some energetic children for a few hours (or days)! (Haley Peckett, DDOT)

3. How long do you predict it will take for transportation patterns to return to normal once “stay at home” orders end?

I predict that typical transportation patterns will never fully return to normal because the workforce has adjusted to teleworking full-time and has, for the most part, been successful. I believe that we will see a huge transition into flexible work schedules where teleworking is more accepted. (Rebecca Moser, Arlington County)

I believe it will almost be an overnight recovery, with the exception of those of us who will opt to work from home. I do hope that there will be changes in the transportation patterns based on the data we all collected during the pandemic. Why would we go back to enormous commute times when we can perform better without commuting? I would love to be part of the think tank who will put the experiences gained during the pandemic to good use for a sustainable future in transportation. (Cerasela Cristei, T3 Design)

4. What do you think the transportation field will look like 1 year from now? 5 years?

In one year, I believe the transportation field will experience funding shifts in transportation sectors that are less in use versus ones that are more in demand. In five years, it may be that less individuals will turn to driving private vehicles and instead opt for public transportation or biking, and thus eliminating the need for greater public space used for roadways. (Rebecca Moser, Arlington County)

At best, passengers will return when the virus has abated but at worst, airlines could face permanent reductions in demand and may need to totally change the travel experience to accommodate on-going concerns. (Anita Beier, Retired Finance Executive)

5. What is one thing that transportation professionals should be doing now that will benefit us in the future?

I think we should be flexible in our work and approaches to what the future holds. I believe that will give us the best chance at successfully adapting to the situation, whatever it is. (Rebecca Moser, Arlington County)

Transportation professionals should be engaged in developing product delivery across modes of transportation in the post-pandemic environment to address customer concerns and stimulate demand. (Anita Beier, Retired Finance Executive)

Gather data, think creatively, update management tools, and techniques. (Cerasela Cristei, T3 Design)

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