Title: Travel Effects of A Suburban Commuter Carsharing Service: A CarLink Case Study
Publication Information: Transportation Research Record, (2005)
Report Number: UCD-ITS-RP-05-02
Author(s): Susan Shaheen and Caroline J. Rodier
Document Date: 12/31/05
Number of Pages: 7
Price: $5
Abstract:
Since 1998, carsharing programs (or short-term auto rentals) in the
U.S. have experienced exponential membership growth. As of July 2003,
15 carsharing organizations collectively claimed 25,727 members and 784
vehicles. Given this growing demand, decision makers and transit
operators are increasingly interested in understanding the potential
for carsharing services to increase transit use, reduce auto ownership,
and lower vehicle miles traveled. However, to date, there is only
limited evidence of potential program effects in the U.S. and Europe.
This paper presents the travel effects of CarLink--a commuter
carsharing model with explicit links to transit and employment in a
suburban environment--in the context of participant demographic and
attitudinal profiles. A variety of research methods (including focus
groups, interviews, questionnaires, and travel diaries) captured the
following commute travel effects from the CarLink I and II programs: 1)
increased commuter rail mode share by 23 percentage points in CarLink I
and II; 2) reduced drive-alone mode share by 44 and 23 percentage
points in CarLink I and II, respectively; 3) decreased average daily
vehicle miles traveled by 23 miles in CarLink II and by 18 miles in
CarLink I; 4) increased travel time but reduced stress; 5) reduced
vehicle ownership by almost six percent in CarLink II; and 6) reduced
parking demand at participating train stations among member businesses.
The typical CarLink I and II member was more likely to be highly
educated, in an upper income bracket, and professionally employed than
average Bay Area residents. CarLink I and II members also displayed
sensitivity to congestion, willingness to experiment, and environmental
concern. The travel results of CarLink I and II are compared to those
of neighborhood carsharing models in the U.S. and Europe to suggest the
importance of CarLink's explicit transit and employment connections and
the value of carsharing in a suburban location.
Keywords:
Carsharing, CarLink, Station Cars, User Profile, Travel Behavior