New Apple Tool Makes Changes In Atlanta’s Travel Behavior Visual

April 18th, 2020

Lighter than normal traffic flow in and out downtown Atlanta.

John Bazemore / Associated Press

Georgia’s stay-at-home order had the intention of encouraging people to remain in the house, and it appears many locals are heeding the guidance.

Ever since the middle of March, Apple Map’s daily Mobility Trends Report shows a sharp decrease from the baseline number of people using the software to get directions.

In Atlanta, driving directions use was down 35%, walking by 37% and transit by 56% on April 15, according to Apple Map’s data. The usage has been fluctuating between 20 to 60 percent fewer people since the middle of March.

The line graph shows Atlanta's decline in accessing directions. (Courtesy of Apple) — The line graph shows Atlanta’s decline in accessing directions. (Courtesy of Apple)

Nationwide accessing of Apple Maps directions was down 37%. For context, the United Kingdom’s use dropped 60% and Italy’s 76%, as of April 15.

The data Apple pulls from users doesn’t include their Apple ID, and the company “doesn’t keep a history of where you’ve been,” according to their website.

Atlanta BeltLine is also seeing a decline in foot traffic since the news of the coronavirus outbreak broke, according to a press release.

Its Eastside Trail is attracting 52% fewer pedestrians since the first weekend in March to the first weekend in April.

The BeltLine’s guidance identifies the best time for an older adult to access its trails is from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.; exercising should be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Then, “transit-only needs” traveling should happen after 2 p.m.