Exploring the link between travel and wellbeing amidst the pandemic

This study examines the impact of the COVID-19 on the wellbeing of individuals in Great Britain, as measured by life satisfaction and happiness, by analyzing the dramatic drop in travel during this time. The Bayesian VAR model treats travel and wellbeing variables as endogenous while incorporating government policy interventions as exogenous controls, allowing comprehensive assessment of relationships without imposing a priori restrictions on the endogenous variables. Results indicate that shocks in COVID-19 have a negative impact on travel, which subsequently affects wellbeing. However, there is limited evidence to suggest that COVID-19 responses to shocks in various forms of transportation have a significant impact on COVID-19 outcomes. Additionally, the study provides 8-week ahead dynamic forecasts with 95% credible intervals and demonstrates superior forecasting accuracy compared to frequentist VAR specifications based on posterior predictive distributions., which can inform evidence-based policymaking during the pandemic. The study emphasizes the importance of considering the relationship between travel and wellbeing amidst the pandemic and highlights the need for policies that balance the public health risks of travelling with the benefits of mobility and travel for wellbeing.