The number of cars in the lockdown decreased mainly on motorways near Prague. Far from the metropolis, the traffic was the same
Between the last week of February and the present week, with a reduced intensity of traffic on motorways in the Czech Republic by up to half around Prague, farther from the capital, the declines are lower, or even none. It is forbidden to move around the metropolis between the districts, which have been in force since the beginning of March due to the coronavirus epidemic, and may also participate in the spring holidays.
Significantly weaker morning and afternoon rush hours around the capital this week compared to the end of February show the impact of working from home. Fill it in from the graphs and communications of the Directorate of Roads and Motorways (ŘSD).
According to ŘSD spokesman Jan Studecký, the decline on motorways near Prague between February and March is particularly noticeable in passenger transport. However, he pointed out the possible impact of the spring holidays, which this week also includes schoolchildren from the districts of Prague-East and Prague-West. “At a greater distance from Prague, the lower declines are lower, or even none at all,” he added. This is evidenced by graphs of traffic intensity, for example, from the 185th kilometer of the D1 motorway or the 71st kilometer of the D5 motorway.
Photo: ŘSD
The flattening of the traffic intensity chart in the morning and afternoon is also noticeable in the current week compared to the last week of February, especially around the capital. “These are mainly weaker morning and afternoon peaks, which is mainly due to the number of people working from home,” said Studecký.
Photo: ŘSD
A more significant decrease in the national intensities can be seen when comparing the years 2019 and 2021, especially in passenger transport; According to Studecký, freight transport on the transit sections and especially at the state borders is thus stronger than passenger transport this year. “In 2019, it was the biggest on the contrary,” the spokesman added. The ŘSD graphs compared the traffic intensity from Monday to Wednesday this week with the same days of the last week of February at six places on the D1, D5 and D8 motorways.
Stricter measures against the spread of coronavirus, which include, inter alia, a ban on movement outside the district in addition to travel to work, doctors or other listed exceptions, have been in place since 1 March. It should be valid for three weeks. However, the Minister of Health Jan Blatný (for YES) stated today that a significant release cannot be expected after March 21. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (YES) previously stated that the government will obviously not reach a decision on further action until after Easter.