Improving transit connections through innovative mobility options such as carsharing, smart parking, the EasyConnect program, and ridesharing can make seamless door-to-door connectivity a viable option for consumers.  These modes of transportation help get people out of their individual cars and into public transit or carpooling. IMR’s research is focused on improving transit connections because of the many benefits that result. Reducing the number of trips made by single occupancy vehicles eases traffic congestion, saves energy because less fuel is used, and cuts down on air pollution.

Carsharing allows people to rent cars on a short-term (hourly or daily), as-needed basis, paying only for the time they use the car and the mileage they drive. The operators of the carsharing program provide vehicle maintenance, repair, and insurance.

The term “shared-use vehicle” is a broader concept that encompasses both carsharing and station car programs.  Station car programs are designed to facilitate transit access in the cases where the final destination of a person who uses public transportation is located too far away from the endpoint of the transit route; people can drive station cars to complete the final leg of their trip.  

Shared-use vehicles allow individuals to gain the benefits of using a private car without the costs and responsibilities of owning a car.  Members of a shared-use vehicle or carsharing program pick-up and return vehicles at shared use lots that are scattered throughout a particular region or concentrated at a transit station, activity or employment center.  Typically, a member makes a reservation in advance, lets him or herself into the vehicle with a personal card or key, and drives away.  When the person is done using the car, she returns the car to its home parking space, locks it, and leaves it for the next carsharer. 

The benefits of carsharing can include:

·        More careful consideration of the necessity, duration, and distance of automobile trips, resulting in decreased vehicle use and ownership.

·        Greater consideration given to alternative modes, resulting in increased transit ridership, biking, and walking.

·        Cost savings to individuals and employers.

·        Energy savings and air quality benefits.

·        Reduced parking demand at participating transit stations, member employer sites, and residential locations.

Due to its many potential benefits, carsharing is gaining in popularity, as demonstrated by increasing North American membership.

·       As of January 2008, 18 U.S. carsharing programs claimed 234,483 members sharing 5,261 vehicles.

·       As of January 2008, 33,895 members shared 1,499 vehicles among 13
carsharing organizations in Canada.

Innovative Mobility Research (IMR) is an internationally recognized leader in shared-use vehicle research, particularly in testing and evaluating innovative shared-use vehicle services and in tracking trends.

“Smart Parking” employs various types of advanced parking systems and technologies to assist drivers in finding available parking spaces.  IMR’s approach to smart parking management is to apply advanced technologies to help direct drivers efficiently to available parking spaces, reducing driver frustration and congestion on highways and arterial streets. 

Smart parking approaches range from dynamic displays on roadway signs informing drivers of location and parking lot capacity, to use of the Internet and cell phones to provide space availability, location, and pricing information.  Additionally, advanced payment systems allow for seamless parking transactions and enhanced efficiency.  Smart parking can make better use of existing parking infrastructure by creating market-based systems to improve utilization rates and manage vehicle turnover.

Parking availability influences how individuals commute, which, in turn, impacts transit use, single occupancy vehicle driving, and traffic congestion.  Through its research and projects, IMR seeks to create a greater understanding of the impacts of smart parking strategies on the broader transportation system, including how it affects people’s decisions to choose a particular mode of transportation over others.

Access from transit stations to employment and home locations can be a significant barrier to transit use in many urban regions, which is also commonly known as the “first and last mile” problem. Most people are only willing to walk about a quarter of a mile from transit stations to their destination. Bus feeder services can increase access, but fixed routes and schedules significantly limit their appeal. EasyConnect project researches  effective demand-responsive, easy-to-use system that links home, work, and other activity destinations with transit stations may encourage greater transit use, reduce vehicle travel, and emissions.

Ridesharing, which includes carpooling and vanpooling, is a great way for commuters to save time and money getting to and from work.  Ridesharing also helps reduce air pollution and ease traffic congestion because it can lead to fewer cars on the roads. Commuters who carpool usually use their own cars. Those who use a vanpool usually use rented vans (often supplied by employers, non-profit organizations, or government agencies).  Many transit agencies and community transportation organizations offer ridematching services, connecting travelers with similar schedules and routes who are interested in ridesharing.