Controlling urban traffic-one of the useful methods to ensure safety in Wuhan based on COVID-19 outbreak

•This article firstly reviews the urban traffic situation from 1/23/2020 to 3/8/2020 in China.•Between cities, blocking and controlling the traffic are urgent in the early stage of epidemic.•Inside a city, it is urgent to suspend the public transports, block roads, restrict private cars.•We also give suggestions about the long-term planning and improvement methods.•This article offers a valuable reference of urban traffic control now and in the future. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) broke out in Wuhan, China. As of March 9, 2020, this epidemic has occurred in 102 countries and caused 3584 deaths with global serious concern. To cope with the outbreak, Chinese governments have strictly controlled urban traffic at all levels, especially in Wuhan. This article firstly reviews the urban traffic situation from January 23, 2020 to March 8, 2020, including safety problems of urban public transportation, traffic control methods, and emergency public transportation planning. Based on this, we present some emergency traffic control measures that are very urgent in the early stage of epidemic. Between cities, we strongly recommend blocking and controlling the flow of traffic in the early stage of epidemic. Inside a city, it is imperative to suspend the public transports, block all roads, restrict private cars, and close bridges and tunnels. Material isolation transfer stations are suggested to be established. A number of public transports should be organized to ensure transport of medical workers, patients, and daily necessities. We also give suggestions about the long-term planning and improvement methods. Considering the great success China has achieved in fighting COVID-19, we believe that this article offers a valuable reference of urban traffic control.