Measuring the car ownership impact of free-floating car-sharing – A case study in Basel, Switzerland. (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Becker, Henrik; Ciari, Francesco; Axhausen, Kay W.
• Is Part Of: Transportation research. Volume 65(2018)
• Page Start: 51
• Page End: 62
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: Car-sharing -- Free-floating -- Car ownership -- Environmental impact -- Substitution -- Panel study; Transportation -- Research -- Periodicals; Transportation -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; 354.76
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trd.2018.08.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1361-9209

Abstract

Highlights: Studying impact free-floating car-sharing (FFCS) using quantitative data. Early application of smartphone-based GPS tracking as travel diary. Two-wave survey approach allowing to measure the FFCS impact. FFCS found to lower private vehicle ownership and use. FFCS mainly used for non-regular, discretionary trips. Abstract: Free-floating car-sharing schemes operate without fixed car-sharing stations, ahead reservations or return-trip requirements. Providing fast and convenient motorization, they attract both public transport users and (former) car-owners. Thus, their impact on individual travel behavior depends on the user type. Estimating the travel behavior impact of these systems therefore requires quantitative data. Using a two-wave survey approach (shortly after launch of the scheme plus one year later) including travel diaries, this research indicates that (due to their membership) 6% of the free-floating car-sharing customers reduce their private vehicle ownership. Moreover, the results suggest that free-floating car-sharing both complements and competes with station-based car-sharing.