High-speed railway and the intercity transmission of epidemics: Evidence from COVID-19 in China

Liyang Wan and Qian Wan

Economic Modelling, 2022, vol. 114, issue C

Abstract: In the context of the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan, we investigate the effect of intercity high-speed railway (HSR) connections on intercity transmission of epidemics in the absence of government intervention. Intercity HSR connections increase the number of COVID-19 patients per 10,000 population by 0.029, accounting for 45% of the total infections. Our results remain intact in several robustness assessments. The total economic loss owing to HSR connections to Wuhan is estimated to be USD 0.62 billion. The internal mechanism demonstrates that intercity HSR connections increase intercity COVID-19 transmission by facilitating human mobility between cities. Based on intercity transportation connections, our findings can help the government predict the direction and scope of virus transmission and control the intercity transmission of epidemics.

Keywords: Intercity transmission of epidemics; High-speed railway; COVID-19 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: H51 I15 I18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:ecmode:v:114:y:2022:i:c:s0264999322001808

DOI: 10.1016/j.econmod.2022.105934

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