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Is access enough? A spatial and demographic analysis of one-way carsharing policies and practice

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  • Pan, Alexandra Q.
  • Martin, Elliot W.
  • Shaheen, Susan A.

Abstract

For low-income individuals, carsharing services that provide short-term, on-demand access to a fleet of shared vehicles may be a viable, low-cost alternative to personal vehicle ownership, yet the demographics of carsharing users often reflect higher income groups. Our objectives in this research study are: 1) quantify the benefits of carsharing for low-income users; 2) evaluate the effectiveness of policies targeting spatial access (e.g., parking policies, designation of service areas); and 3) review other social equity initiatives taken by carsharing operators (e.g., low-income discounts, educational training) and impacts on user demographics. We use two one-way, free-floating carsharing services as case studies: a survey of GIG (Get In and Go) Car Share users in Oakland, CA from 2018 (n = 218), and a survey of car2go users (now called ShareNow) in five North American cities from 2015 (n = 9497). We analyze these surveys using descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, and geographic information systems (GIS) mapping.

Suggested Citation

  • Pan, Alexandra Q. & Martin, Elliot W. & Shaheen, Susan A., 2022. "Is access enough? A spatial and demographic analysis of one-way carsharing policies and practice," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 103-115.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:trapol:v:127:y:2022:i:c:p:103-115
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tranpol.2022.08.015
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    2. Shuai Zhang & Yicheng Han & Dajian Zhu, 2025. "The Triple-Level Proposal of the Circular Economy: Circular Performance, Case Studies and a Design Workshop," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-18, May.

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