Relocating can be stressful for anyone, especially for people with families. A big move can be problematic for children, particularly if you are doing this in the middle of a school year.

The four-legged members of your family can find moving stressful, as well. Dogs can easily feel anxious and even scared when there are plenty of unexpected activities and noises in their home. You are also likely to encounter a few problems once you introduce your pet to a new environment.

Dealing with an anxious dog is the last thing you want to do while preparing for and during a move. Here are some tips that can make the experience less stressful and even fun for your furry pet:

Create a moving checklist for your dog.

Your pet may also have amassed plenty of possessions in your current home. Making sure you bring these or at least the most important ones is crucial in helping your dog transition to his new home faster.

Making a checklist ensures you won’t forget to pack all your pup’s items or the things that you need to bring.

Since creating a checklist means doing an inventory, this process can also help you identify which accessories or supplies you need to buy or top up.

If your pet’s portable kennel is damaged beyond repair or looks really worn, you need to buy a new dog crate in Dubai to ensure your pup will be comfortable and secure during travel.

If your dog food supplies are running low, you may want to get one or two bags to avoid running out of these on your first few days in your new home.

Try to stick to your routine with your dog.

Most dogs thrive on routines. They know they have to eat and go for a walk at particular times, and they expect to do these on the dot.

Preparing for a move can affect your pet’s regular schedule, which can make him feel anxious and that there is something awry.

Although you have plenty of things to do, try to stick to your dog care routine. Follow the usual schedule for feeding and taking him for his walks and his potty breaks. If you play fetch before dinner, do so even if it means taking a break from packing for half an hour or so.

Keep in mind that the more you stick to your pup’s routine, the better you will encourage them to view the move with curiosity and not anxiety.

Let your dog get plenty of exercise.

Another part of your pet’s routine that you should never skip on is helping him to get plenty of exercise.

Exercise is crucial for your pup’s physical and mental health. Additionally, a tired dog is a good dog, which means you will spend less time running after him.

More importantly, allowing your pet to expend some extra energy is a great way to keep his stress levels down and help him stay calm.

As such, try to add more minutes to the time you spend playing with or walking your pup. You can also ask a friend, relative, or neighbour to take him to a nearby park whenever you’re busy packing.

Familiarise your dog with moving supplies.

If your dog has separation anxiety and shows symptoms easily, any sign that you are going somewhere, such as a suitcase or clothes on the bed, can send him reeling quickly.

You can help your pet overcome his worries and stay calm before and during the move by helping him get used to the different moving supplies and activities.

Put the empty moving boxes around your home. Let your dog explore them at his own pace. You can place one or more of his favourite treats in the containers so he can associate these supplies and all related activities with rewards and fun.

Once your pet gets used to these boxes, start opening and moving them around the home. You can also begin packing to have more time completing this part of the pre-relocation process.

Set up a quiet place for your pet.

Messes are part of the pre-move process. There will be plenty of instances where you will leave boxes, packing tape, scissors, and other supplies are strewn over the place.

This mess can make it uncomfortable for your pet to move around. He will also make the cluttered room messier.

Additionally, the noise you make while working with packing paper and tape can also be uncomfortable for your pet.

Reduce the anxiety your pet is feeling by setting a quiet place far from where all the work is happening, where he can sleep and rest while you are busy.

Make sure this area has your pet’s bed or crate and some of his favourite things. These include his blanket, stuffed toys, chewing bone, and other items from your Dubai pet supplies store.

Take your pet away from all the action on moving day.

Lastly, moving day will be stressful not only for you but also for your pet. Anxious dogs tend to move around more and even get under your feet, which can be dangerous for him, you, and the movers, especially if you’re carrying heavy objects.

To avoid dealing with more problems on this important day, you will do well to get your pup away from all the hustle and bustle, even if he seems unfazed by all the action.

Ask your neighbour if you can leave your pet with them while the movers are going in and out of your house. You can also have a friend or relative take your pup to the park or in their home during moving day.

Another option would be to bring your pet to a boarding facility where he has been to and is comfortable staying.

You can also put your dog inside an empty room for a few hours. However, make sure he has a companion and his favourite toys and a few treats to keep him preoccupied and, at the same time, far away from the busy areas of your home.

Since you have plenty of things to do and worry about before and during your move, follow these tips to have a dog that behaves and is less troublesome during this important time of your life.

AUTHOR BIO:

Farah Al-Khojai is the Managing Partner of Pet’s Delight. A passionate entrepreneur, Farah holds a Bsc in Government from the London School of Economics. She is always on the lookout for new opportunities to develop and grow the pet and equestrian retail and wholesale market in the UAE and beyond, and is proud to be at the helm of the first and the largest pet care provider in the market representing world-class brands including Orijen, Applaws, Hunter, Savic, Flamingo, Ruffwear and Rogz.

When you are faced with the embarrassment of having your iPhone 12 locked; you can bring it back to life without going through the experts. It is an easy DIY method that you can achieve on your own without paying an expert to achieve the results that you are going to be proud of.

The process is not time-consuming because it will only take a few seconds of your time. People are majorly concerned about the safety of the valued data. You do not have anything to worry about your data through the process we are about to discuss. When your phone comes back to life; your data will come back in one whole piece.

If your iPhone is in the habit of freezing time without a number and you are forced to undertake the process times without a number; then you must take steps to stop the process. This can be achieved by updating your applications via the app store. If that fails, then there are other potential solutions that you can apply to remedy the situation.

The best ways to go about getting the right cover that will produce the results that mattered can be gotten through credible online channels. For some technical issues, computer science homework help have you covered all areas that have to do with resolving the problem of the iPhone suddenly freezing up.

How to restart iPhone 12

There is an improvement in the old process that requires the holding down of two buttons in other to achieve force restarting of your iPhone. So what is involved in the new process? It might take you a few attempts before you can effectively master the process like a pro.

When you become a master of the process, freezing your iPhone 12 will never pose an issue again. The process involves three buttons. You have to move your fingers very fast between two of the buttons before taking action on the third button.

Press two buttons almost simultaneously and then hold onto the third button. Your iPhone 12 will come back to life. With a few attempts; it will be possible to master the process.

When your device is not responding to touches and swipes

The process that was described above will not work for you if your iPhone refuses the response to swipes or touches. An entirely different approach will be required to achieve the results that will force start your device.

The alternate method

Like it was stated for the swipe and touch method, this is also a DIY process that will not require any technical expertise. The process is described below in very simple steps:

· The volume up button is located by the left side of the iPhone 12. You need to press the button and then let it go immediately. That will successfully kick start the process.

· Next, press on the volume down button and immediately let go as with the first process.

· The last step that will conclude the process will involve pressing the side button and holding onto it. You can let go when the Apple logo appears on your screen.

You have to be fast with the first two steps. You do not need to press the buttons at the same time. The side button is referred to as the power button by apple. After a few seconds of pressing down on the side button, your iPhone will come back to life!

Conclusion

As you can see through the two processes that have been described above; it is a DIY process that will not involve any expertise. Your data will be delivered in one whole piece after you have completed the process of force starting your device.

“School ready” is a term that’s becoming increasingly more popular when it comes to small children who are preschool age. But what does it mean to have your child or children school ready and how do you go about it? This article will focus on what’s required for a child to become school ready and some steps you can take to make that happen.

School Ready – What It Means Exactly

School readiness for preschoolers is a term used to describe education, training and conditioning of a child to make the transition into the school years smoother and easier, so the child starts school with a head start and feeling more confident within themselves.

There can be many facets that will prepare kids for school and they will vary depending on the goals of the parent and what is instituted to prepare your child for primary school. If your child simply goes from home life to school, the transition can be very abrupt. Therefore, it’s important to give them some preparation before the time comes to start primary school.

Enrol Your Child In An Early Education Center

One of the best and most well-rounded ways of getting your child prepared for the school years to come is to enrol them in early learning daycare. These facilities generally offer a school readiness program aimed at preparing children for school on a number of important levels.

Early learning centres are part daycare and part educational facilities. While the focus is generally on providing a safe, yet fun environment for preschool-age children, there is a firm focus on having children learn education basics, so when they do enter school, they’re not starting everything from scratch.

A school readiness program will introduce kids to things like reading and spelling, handwriting skills, computers and technology, science, numeracy and more. By the time your child starts school, they’ll already have a basic understanding of core subjects.

School preparedness programs don’t just focus on learning typical school subject matter though, as there is more to getting kids school ready than mere academics. It’s also about instilling self-confidence in children through learning how to interact with others and forming friendships, developing social skills, building self-esteem, effective communication and more.

When a child goes through a school readiness program at an early learning centre, by the time they do enrol at school, they’ll have a head start and enter their school years feeling confident about the challenges ahead.

Other Ways To Get Children Ready For School

Around the home, parents can help their children prepare for school in a number of ways. One important thing that a child needs to develop so they feel more comfortable when starting school is a degree of self-reliance. This builds both skills and confidence in a child. The more you have your child doing things for themselves around the home, the more self-reliant they’ll naturally become.

This can be accomplished by having them assist with preparing their own meals, doing household chores, entrusting them to complete certain tasks and so on. Apply a little imagination in this area and you’ll come up with lots of ideas to develop self-reliance in your child.

Some home learning that contains an element of fun will also help prepare your kids for the school years ahead. It could involve teaching them simple math, but making the process interesting. For example, rather than just teaching them to count or to add up and subtract, you could use something they like to help demonstrate the task.

Speaking and listening skills are also key to a smooth transition into school, as well as equipping a child with an important skill set that will serve them well for the rest of their lives. Both the ability to speak confidently and really listen are two key factors of effective communication. The more confident a communicator your child is, the easier the transition will be. Most parents want their children to listen to them, but kids also need to be encouraged to speak as well.

In addition, the more you talk positively about school, the less stressed children will be when it comes time to actually start school.

In Conclusion

Getting kids school ready is all about making life easier for children when they start school. Give them a head start and enrol them in a school readiness program.

 

The world of MMA is alive right now and we are just itching for this Saturday night to come around, the first main event of the new year. This year’s event will be taking place on Fight Island and the headline bout is none other than Connor McGregor versus Dustin Poirier, a rematch which we have long been waiting for. Now it was on this day last year that McGregor last fought, taking on Donald Cerrone in what proved to be a very simple win for the Irishman, this one may not be as easy.

MMA journalist Ayden Hector has spoken recently that he believes this will be an easy Connor win. And so with Ayden’s prediction in mind, assuming that McGregor wins the fight, the question will be who could be his next opponent, and here are some options which we like.

Nate Diaz

The trilogy fight against Nate Diaz is certainly what we have all been waiting for, because the first two were just so entertaining. Diaz and McGregor won each other’s respect for those two brutal fights, and currently the scorecard is 1-1. There is no doubt that if we are talking numbers, this is a fight that is going to go absolutely crazy in terms of PPV buys, and we know how much McGregor loves that money.

Jorge Masvidal

Masvidal has been on a great run in the last couple of years and whilst he no doubt wants to push for a belt, he did win the novelty BMF belt when he fought Nate Diaz. McGregor has mentioned that he would like to get this belt if the chance came along, and there is no doubt that Masvidal is up for the prospect of facing the Irishman. This one may not bring in the money that a Diaz trilogy fight will, but you can still expect it to be an attractive fight for the fans.

Justin Gaethje

There is no doubt that Gaethje is one of the most able ad editing fighters in the division and he has shown some serious ability in the last 18 months. Sadly he lost the fight against the superior Khabib last month but that doesn’t count him out of the running at all. If Connor is serious about coming back and looking to push hard in the division then testing himself against Gaethje would be the way to do it.

Khabib Nurmagomedov

And of course, the fight that McGregor would probably give up all of his wealth for is the rematch against Khabib. The Russian has stated that although he has retried, if the McGregor fight against Poirier throws up something ‘exciting’ then he may consider getting back in the ring. The tough thing for Connor is that Khabib is not motivated by numbers of PPV buys, he is respectful fighter who fights for the love of it, and in his mind Connor is an opponent who he has fought and beaten already. This would be the fan’s choice of course, but it isn’t a fight which looks too likely.

Does McGregor win? And who does he fight next?

 

Lifestyle changes for diabetes care

When Dr. Andrew Kramer urologist physician and penile implant surgeon, sees male patients having issues with getting or maintaining an erection, or dealing with other sexual dysfunction problems, the very first thing he checks is the patient’s medical history because often, an underlying medical condition is the root of the problem, whether directly (as a symptom of the medical condition) or indirectly (as a side effect of medication/s).

In one of the videos Dr. Kramer shared on popular video-sharing site YouTube, he discussed the step-by-step process involved in the penile implant surgical procedure he was performing on a diabetic patient dealing with erectile dysfunction. ED is a common symptom of uncontrolled diabetes, specifically type 2 diabetes.

Diabetic patients with persistent ED may be advised to undergo an implant surgery as their ED may have already progressed into a permanent condition, shares Dr. Andrew Kramer, Urology.

Can ED in a diabetic patient be prevented?

As a urologist who specializes in penile implant surgery, Dr. Kramer is often asked by his diabetic patients if there was a way they could have prevented their erectile dysfunction, and the quick answer is “yes.” However, he adds, there may be certain factors in the patient that increase his risk of ED. The chances of developing ED varies per case.

In general, what causes ED in a diabetic patient, says Dr. Andrew Kramer, urology specialist and penile implant surgeon, is damage to nerve and small blood vessels as this may constrict blood flow, and also affect a man’s physiological response to sexual stimulation.

Damage to small blood vessels and nerves occurs when the patient’s blood sugar level is uncontrolled. Contributing factors to uncontrolled diabetes include poor diet, lack of physical activity or exercise, and neglecting to take prescribed diabetes medication. In some ED patients, they are unaware that they have diabetes, which means ED was the “trigger” that prompted them to seek medical attention.

Lifestyle changes

Diabetic patients dealing with occasional erectile dysfunction may still prevent permanent ED with a few lifestyle changes, shares Dr. Andrew Kramer, Urology. The key is to maintain your blood sugar levels and make more health-conscious choices.

Here are some healthy changes recommended for diabetic patients to lower the risk for erectile dysfunction:

1. Eat a diabetic-friendly diet

Eating healthy among diabetic patients and people without diabetes or other medical conditions is quite different. If you’re a diabetic patient, keeping your sugar intake in check won’t be enough; you may have to completely eliminate it from your diet. This means looking for alternative sweeteners for your foods and beverages. And as always, natural (directly sourced from fruits, not processed) is the safest choice.

2. Keep an active lifestyle

A sedentary lifestyle is a dangerous lifestyle choice because it increases your risk for a number of diseases, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. On the other hand, an active lifestyle can keep these potentially fatal diseases at bay. Doing a few simple exercises everyday for at least 15 minutes per day can already have a positive effect on your physical health. Exercise helps improve blood circulation, which in turn helps prevent damage to blood vessels and nerves.

3. Kick bad habits to the curb

Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can cause damage to the blood vessels, and as mentioned above, damaged blood vessels may cause erectile dysfunction as they constrict blood flow to the penis. Quit smoking and keep your alcohol intake in check to keep ED at bay, and manage your blood sugar levels at the same time. To read more on topics like this, check out the blog category.

 

If you’re currently searching for the perfect dog breed for your family and are searching for a dog breed which is known for boasting a friendly, personable nature, you’ve got to check out https://www.fynnandfriends.com/. Simply continue reading to discover a comprehensive guide of some of the friendliest dog breeds which you can adopt.

The Friendliest Dogs:

Boston Terriers:

Boston Terriers are so agreeable, gentle, polite and friendly that they have been suitably nicknamed as American gentlemen. A name which also suits their distinctive tuxedo coats. Boston Terriers are incredibly social and enjoy nothing more than spending quality time with their loved ones, which is one reason why they make great family pets. Boston Terriers are also generally very well behaved when they meet strangers in public. In fact, Boston Terriers are known for being quiet and will never bark excitedly at a stranger such as a post man.

Poodles:

Poodles are known for their social, outgoing nature and easily make friends everywhere they go. If you’d love to adopt a dog breed which is just as social as you are and will be likely to greet all of your neighbors who you come across on your daily walks, you may want to add a miniature poodle or a standard poodle to your household.

Labrador Retrievers:

Labrador Retrievers love to please their owners and are known for their calm, even, reliable temperament. In fact, their temperaments are so stable and calm, that most search and rescue dogs and service dogs such as blind dogs are Labrador Retrievers. Especially as they are known for being easy to train.

Boxers:

Boxers absolutely love spending time with their owners and crave human attention. If you adopt a boxer don’t be surprised if they try to seek out extra attention from your friends and family members. In fact, Boxers are known for seeking attention specifically from children. So if you have a young family are are looking for a family friendly dog for your children to grow up with, you may want to opt for a friendly Boxer.

Corgis:

Corgis are another dog breed which relish spending time with their family unit. In fact, Corgis are actually known for trying to herd their family members around their home. As a breed Corgis are bold, courageous and friendly and will often go up to complete strangers in order to say hello. As well as boasting a friendly nature Corgis are also easy to train and pick up commands quickly.

Beagles:

Beagles are another cute small to medium sized dog breed that have charming, charismatic, friendly personalities. Beagles also have agreeable temperaments are will rarely bark at other dogs or instigate fights with other dogs. With humans Beagles are incredibly patient and general and as a result they also make great family pets or pets for first time dog owners.

So if you’d love for your next dog to boast a friendly, affable nature, it’s well worth looking into adopting one of the cheerful, sociable dog breeds which are listed above.

Maintaining your dental health mainly involves proper and regular brushing, flossing, and the occasional professional teeth cleaning. You may also need to undergo smile correction procedures, like getting a dental brace, bridge or crown, and even Lumineer installation in Fort Lauderdale.

While almost everyone understands the importance of these services, they don’t usually pay attention to wisdom tooth removal simply because they think it isn’t necessary. This is a mistake.

Some think that wisdom teeth that emerge between the ages of 17 and 21 are useful when it comes to eating meat, roots, and vegetables raw. However, some believe that this third set of molars doesn’t always serve a special purpose. Sometimes, the wisdom teeth even crowd the other teeth and cause an array of issues if left alone.

This is why many dental clinics today offer to extract wisdom teeth. Even if the tooth itself isn’t decayed or damaged, it can still lead to certain problems that later affect your life.

To determine if it’s time for a wisdom tooth removal in Fort Lauderdale, you must be on the lookout for these six signs:

Impacted Teeth

Some people experience impacted wisdom teeth, which occurs when the third set of molars lack enough space to develop normally. If this is the case, the wisdom tooth comes out crooked because there isn’t enough space for it to grow into.

Many cases involving this matter lead to the wisdom teeth growing at an odd angle different from the rest of the teeth, causing tenderness, jaw pain, swelling or stiffness, gum infections, soreness or bleeding, halitosis, and teeth damage.

To prevent more severe problems, impacted wisdom teeth should be extracted as soon as possible. If left alone longer, they may cause issues with your jaw, which can be more challenging to deal with.

However, keep in mind that some cases of impacted wisdom teeth don’t come with any symptoms, so visiting your dentist for regular oral checkups can be quite useful in detecting issues early.

Overcrowding

Although impacted teeth can cause stiffness of the jaw and gum swelling, it may also be a sign of overcrowding due to wisdom teeth growth.

Some people have third molars that take up too much space in the mouth. When overcrowding occurs, the originally straight teeth surrounding them may begin to shift. This is something that would be difficult to treat using dental braces since there’s really no room left for the teeth to move around in.

With shifted teeth, you might experience problems on your gums, one tooth may push forward and crowd another, and infections caused by food debris may even occur, which is hard to remove due to the constricted space.

If it cannot be adjusted because of the lack of space, then the only solution is to make room by removing the wisdom teeth.

Crooked Teeth

For some people, the growth of their wisdom teeth is what causes them to have crooked teeth. This is also related to overcrowding.

If the wisdom teeth emerge to join the rest and there isn’t enough space for them, they may cause the other teeth to move over one another and shift into odd angles. This may even lead to tooth damage.

While there are several known theories about why wisdom teeth grow sideways or emerge crooked, the most probable one is that the jaws aren’t really made to accommodate a third molar. Since there’s insufficient room there, the new growth will find other ways to emerge – sometimes sideways, other times skewed.

Of course, crooked teeth can be corrected with orthodontic treatment. But for it to be effective, you must first have your wisdom teeth removed to allow more room for movement.

Difficulty with Eating

Misalignment, crookedness, and overcrowding that result from the wisdom teeth growth may also cause pain when you open and close your mouth. With this comes eating difficulties as well.

Aching gums, teeth and jaws are a sign that you need your wisdom teeth taken out. You may also experience unpleasant tastes in your mouth that might make it hard to enjoy the food you eat.

Plus, there’s also the possibility of tooth decay, particularly in your molars, since food debris cannot be cleaned well enough when brushing. Your dentist may recommend products to remedy the problem, but if it cannot be resolved, wisdom teeth extraction may be the only option left.

Cysts and Infection

If left unchecked, impacted, overcrowded, or crooked third molars may lead to cysts and other benign tumors in the jaw. While these may not be cancerous, the sacs of fluid that accumulate may infect nearby teeth and damage their roots. In some cases, this can even result in bone destruction – a rare situation, of course.

The growth of wisdom teeth can have a big impact on cleaning surfaces where bacteria can hide. If they push the adjacent molar forward, it may leave spaces that cannot be easily cleaned during regular toothbrushing.

This increases the risk of cavities since food debris that feeds plaque-causing bacteria isn’t removed immediately.

If the gums become irritated, pockets may develop in between the teeth where bacteria can grow. This may promote cavity development and cause an infection called pericoronitis.

Be on the lookout for the following symptoms of gum disease and infection:

• Fever
• Bleeding, tender gums
• Swelling and pain
• Pus coming from the gum
• Swelling or soreness of the lymph glands under the jaw
• Difficulty swallowing or opening of the mouth

Sinus Problems

Did you know that some issues with your sinuses may be related to your wisdom teeth, too?

There are certain cases when the wisdom teeth grow through the upper jaw. If this happens, the roots rub and push against the sinuses, putting pressure on them.

While this is a bit uncommon, it is still possible for your wisdom teeth to cause sinus pain, headaches, pressure, and congestions.

For the Greater Good of Your Teeth

Wisdom teeth don’t always cause problems, so there are instances when you can let them be. But if they do cause issues and you find the signs listed in this article, there’s no other solution but to have them taken out. Regular visits to the dentist should help determine the best course of action for the greater good of your teeth.

All too often, people forget the purpose of life, which is to make the most out of your time on Earth and love as much as you can.

Between work and family life; it can be difficult to try and fit in time for your friends. However, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice spending time with the ones that you love just because of your busy schedule. It’s important that you prioritize spending time with friends not only for their well-being but also yours!

In order to reap the benefits of your friendships, you’ll need to nourish them.

Therefore, it’s important that you make an effort to spend time with your friends whenever you can. Take a look at some of the best ideas for how you can spend time with your friends together.

 

Spend Time Outdoors

Studies show that spending more time outdoors can reduce your stress levels and even improve your immune system. What better way to spend time with your friends than improving your well being?

The great thing about being outside is there are so many things to do there. Whether you enjoy going hunting or having a picnic in the park, there’s no shortage of ideas for what to do.

 

Cook Dinner Together

Although, let’s face it, eating out in restaurants is great, there’s nothing like cooking your own meals. Why not decide on a recipe with your friends and take it on together in your kitchen?

If none of you are known for your culinary skills, then don’t worry about it! The point is having fun and trying something new together. At the very least, if what you cook is disgusting, you can laugh about it and order pizza instead!

 

Exercise

A lot of us aren’t huge fans of working out. Yet, when you workout with a partner, it seems to make it that much more bearable. Working out with your friends is a great way to get in social time while also boosting your metabolism. Why not kill two birds with one stone and combine your exercise with hanging out with the ones that you love?

You can do anything from running to joining a class together. The idea is working up a sweat while getting to chat at the same time.

 

Volunteer

Getting involved in your community is a wonderful opportunity to do good for the world. If you and your friends want to do something that matters, consider volunteering together as a group.

There are plenty of volunteer activities in your community if you reach out to coordinators. You may find that volunteering in a soup kitchen or nursing home is one of the best experiences you’ve ever had. Sharing it with a friend can make it even more special!

A marked change in traffic patterns as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic during lockdown times has been noted across the United States. These new traffic patterns led to changes in the way Google Maps predicts traffic, while also providing new opportunities for researchers as long term effects of a significant economic shutdown and reduced traffic can now be studied to determine new travel needs moving forward. While the number of drivers on the road drastically decreased during the height of economic shutdown, the effects of reduced traffic on the prevalence of car accidents varied from state to state. Though little information exists presently, experts have already begun to explore the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and traffic patterns.

How Has Google Maps Adapted to New Traffic Patterns During The COVID-19 Pandemic?

In the past, Google predicted traffic patterns based on years worth of data crumpled with live traffic information. This method was effective for over 13 years. However, the drastic reduction in global traffic was so severe that a need for adaptation surfaced. As the level of economic shutdown progressed earlier this year, traffic patterns dropped nearly 50% globally. The new reality pushed Google to utilize more recent data and continuously update navigation systems based on driving conditions from a 2-4 week period. This shorter, more recent period of data will constantly be updated as the economy rebounds and traffic patterns increase. Accuracy is especially crucial as experts in transportation have predicted that there may be permanent changes to traffic patterns as a result of the pandemic. Though navigation systems have been able to respond and adjust to the new normal for traffic predictions, the drop in road travel has offered new opportunities for researchers as they investigate travel behavior moving forward.

What Novel Research Opportunities Are Emerging As We Rebound From A Global Economic Shutdown?

As the economy enters uncharted territory, there is a constant emergence of novel research opportunities. Researchers can now begin to investigate the impact of a nearly total economic shutdown on human travel behavior. Though significant research has yet to be conducted, a relationship between traffic behavior and economic shutdown/ pandemic level events has begun to emerge. First, the relationship between road safety and the economic downturn would be of note: specifically, the way in which significant economic downturn directly relates to road safety through elements of exposure to traffic, traffic composition, and driver influence/ behavior. Second, the relationship between driver behavior and traffic accidents in regard to the increased levels of stress and anxiety experienced by the general population under pandemic conditions could be explored. Finally, and perhaps the primary concern to be explored as the U.S. experiences potentially permanently altered traffic patterns is the relationship between the reduction in traffic as a result of economic downturn and the rate of fatal and nonfatal car accidents.

Has The Marked Reduction In Traffic Due To The Economic Shutdown Affected The Rate of Traffic Accidents?

As the economic shutdown progressed it would be expected that traffic would also see a significant decrease and, as a result, so would the prevalence of vehicular accidents. However, it has instead been found that there are varied effects on traffic accidents state to state. This is hypothesized by researchers to be influenced by a marked increase in anxiety and stress, an increase in recreational drug and alcohol use, or a significant uptake in idle time and open roads leading to more opportunity for speeding and “stunt” driving throughout the general population. While some states, such as California, have seen the predicted reduction in casualty collisions from March 1, 2020 to April 30, 2020, others have noticed no change, or even an increase in fatality crashes as a result of these influences.