by Natalie Chyba | Oct 10, 2003 |
Authors: Susan Shaheen, Mollyanne Meyn, and Kamill Wipyewski Date: October 10, 2003 Abstract: Shared-use vehicle services provide members access to a vehicle fleet for use on an as-needed basis, without the hassles and costs of individual auto ownership. From June 2001 to July 2002, the authors surveyed 18 U.S. shared-use vehicle organizations on a range of topics, including organizational size, partnerships, pricing, costs, and technology. Although survey findings demonstrate a decline in the number of organizational starts in the last year, operational launches into new cities, membership, and fleet size continue to increase. Three growth-oriented organizations are responsible for most of this expansion. Several factors were explored that challenge shared-use vehicle growth, such as high capital investment (or start-up costs), dramatic insurance rate hikes, and scarcity of cost-effective technologies. Although findings of early niche markets are encouraging, the ability of this emerging sector to actualize its total environmental, economic, and social goals may be limited without the collective support of private industry (e.g., automobile manufacturers, insurance providers, technology producers); public agents (e.g., transit and governmental agencies); and shared-use vehicle programs. Indeed, public-private partnerships and cooperation among shared-use vehicle providers may play a key role in addressing insurance and technology costs and ensuring the long-term viability of this market. The full article can be found here....
by Natalie Chyba | Oct 1, 2003 |
Authors: Matt Barth, Michael Todd, and Susan Shaheen Date: October 01, 2003 Abstract: As an innovative mobility solution, there has been significant interest and activity in shared-use vehicle systems. Shared-use vehicle systems (i.e., carsharing, station cars) consist of a fleet of vehicles that are used by several different individuals throughout the day. Shared-use vehicles offer the convenience of a private automobile and more flexibility than public transportation alone. In recent years, varying degrees of intelligent transportation system technologies have been applied to shared-used systems, providing better manageability and customer service. Many shared-use vehicle service providers today include some degree of advanced technologies (e.g., online reservations, vehicle tracking, smartcard access) in their operations. At present, there is a developing need for interoperability among shared-use vehicle service providers (e.g., smartcard access among carsharing organizations) and transit operators (i.e., transit fare collection via smartcards). Interoperability will likely result in higher customer satisfaction and use, leading to greater market penetration. Similarly, some degree of standardization will likely unfold for overall operational techniques (e.g., online reservations and insurance policies), customer interactions, and to some degree vehicle interfaces. However, shared-use vehicles systems are still a relatively new mobility concept, thus an industry-wide standardization approach is still premature. Nevertheless, this paper attempts to identify many of the important issues that will play a significant role in interoperability discussions among shared-use vehicle providers and the development of industry standards in the future. This paper focuses on key elements of intelligent shared-use vehicle system operations, describing many of the tradeoffs that have been encountered during the pioneering stage of shared-use vehicle system developments. Key topics include vehicles, user/system interactions, user/vehicle...
by Natalie Chyba | Jul 18, 2003 |
Authors: Susan Shaheen and Kamill Wipyewski Date: July 18, 2003 Abstract: Carsharing is the short-term use of a shared vehicle fleet by authorized members. Since 1998, U.S. carsharing services have experienced exponential growth. At present, there are 13 carsharing organizations. Over the past three years, electronic and wireless technologies have been developed that can facilitate carsharing system management in the U.S., improve customer services, and reduce program costs. This paper examines the U.S. carsharing market; the role of advanced tehchnology in program management, including CarLink lessons learned; and technology benefits to this nascent market....
by Natalie Chyba | Oct 1, 2002 |
Authors: Matt Barth and Susan Shaheen Date: October 01, 2002 Abstract: In recent years, shared-use vehicle systems have garnered a great deal of interest and activity internationally as an innovative mobility solution. In general, shared-use vehicle systems consist of a fleet of vehicles that are used by several different individuals throughout the day. Shared-use vehicles offer the convenience of a private automobile and more flexibility than public transportation alone. These systems are attractive since they offer the potential to lower a user’s transportation costs; reduce the need for parking spaces in a community; improve overall air quality; and facilitate access to and encourage use of other modes such as rail transit. Shared-use vehicle systems take many forms, ranging from neighborhood carsharing to classic station car models. Given the recent proliferation in system approaches, it is useful to establish a classification system or framework for characterizing these programs. The classification system presented here outlines key program elements that can help policy makers and practitioners characterize and evaluate various aspects of this rapidly evolving field. Further, it helps researchers analyze and compare the various models, including their similarities, differences, and benefits. A shared-use vehicle classification system is provided that describes existing and evolving models; examples are provided of each. It is argued that carsharing and station car concepts can be viewed as two ends of a continuum, sharing many similarities, rather than as separate concepts. Indeed, many existing shared-use vehicle systems can be viewed as hybrid systems, exhibiting characteristics of both. View...
by Natalie Chyba | Oct 1, 2002 |
Authors: Susan Shaheen, John Wright, and Daniel Sperling Date: October 01, 2002 Abstract: To reduce transportation emissions and energy consumption, policy makers typically employ one of two approaches-changing technology or changing behavior. These strategies include demand management tools, such as ridesharing and vehicle control technologies that involve cleaner fuels and fuel economy. Despite the benefits of a combined policy approach, these strategies are normally employed separately. Nevertheless, they have been linked occasionally, for instance in the electric station car programs of the 1990s. Station cars are vehicles used by transit riders at the start or end of a trip. In 1990, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) focused on reducing mobile air pollution by mandating that automakers introduce clean vehicles through its Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate. In 1998, significant flexibility was introduced through partial ZEV credits for very low-emission vehicles. In 2000, CARB left the ZEV mandate intact, but began considering new apporaches, including station cars and carsharing. Carsharing is the short-term use of a shared-use vehicle fleet. In January 2001, recognizing the potential for station cars and carsharing to further improve air quality by reducing vehicle miles traveled–particularly with transit linkages–CARB proposed additional ZEV credits for vehicles in such programs. Thus, the mandate would formally link demand management and clean vehicles. This paper explores carsharing and station car developments, lessons learned, the ZEV mandate, and the proposed credit structure. Finally, policy and research recommendations are discussed for enhancing the success and effect of this combined approach. View PDF....
