17. Geospatial Techniques for Mapping the Spatial Trajectories of COVID-19

Using evidence of the spatial trajectory of the virus in the past can help us predict spatial patterns in the future. Geospatial analysis and GIS (Geographical Information Systems) may accelerate the spatial analysis of virus spatial trajectories. The different types of transportation have accelerated the transmission of the virus. One way to find it is by using special applications within Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Generally, GIS methods are used for spatial analyses – among these, the analysis of traffic patterns. In this research a few spatial and numerical methods were used. The common methods are zonal statistics, buffer, interpolation used to better explain COVID-19 spatial trajectories. The data included in this research were obtained from various sources. The data for traffic connections were from a free and open-source database (https://​www.​naturalearthdata​.​com/​). The data for air traffic routes were from the official page of the International Air Transport Association (https://​www.​iata.​org/​). COVID-19 cases across the world were collected from the Worldometer database (https://​www.​worldometers.​info/​coronavirus/​). Methods and algorithms used in this research such as the vector spatial trajectories of the virus and numerical analysis make this research interdisciplinary. This study covers the whole world and aims to improve our understanding of the relation between traffic networks and the spatial trajectories of COVID-19. In our analysis, we found a high risk for the virus through the geographic areas on traffic routes. Four types of traffic – airplanes, railroad, road and ship – were analysed too. These data used from 2021 year. Airplanes displayed a high risk of viral transmission, cars and trains a medium risk and ships the lowest risk. The traffic was analysed by data of total connection per year. The possibility of transmission is relatively lower on railroad lines, followed by marine traffic, road and then air traffic. As they are the most connected, we believe that road and railroad traffic could produce new hotspots of coronavirus cases. Large and densely populated areas in the world, areas with big urban communities, large traffic infrastructure and a large number of traffic connection points have been greatly affected by COVID-19. Only areas which are not densely populated, with underdeveloped and small or poor traffic connections and networks, as well as isolated island territories appear to be less affected by the pandemic. This can be changed by the necessity of inhabitants in these regions to go to other regions for supplies.