Critical Mass of Carpoolers: The Roles of Ridesharing Affordances and Tollway Policy
Carpooling is an efficient means of mitigating many problems related to transportation, including traffic congestion, emissions, and safety. Mobile information and communication technologies (ICTs) provide communicative and financial capabilities, termed affordances; to make carpooling much more convenient. However, research has yet to distinguish the role of affordances in reaching a critical mass of drivers. This study uses empirical results from an in-depth study of a carpooling app, coupled with an innovative policy pilot to provide toll road discounts for carpool trips registered with the program. Results from the pilot countered with a for-profit model suggest drivers require sufficient reimbursement for travel costs and coordination time, to reach a critical mass needed to support a competitive travel option. However, recruitment tactics such as paid and organic media coverage, face-to-face events and incentives, and driver-focused outreach support growth of the carpool system registration, and use. Additional studies are needed to evaluate different combinations of ridesharing affordances and transportation policies to determine whether communities can realize the benefits of a critical mass of ICT-supported carpooling.
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Supplemental Notes:
- This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ABE50 Standing Committee on Transportation Demand Management.
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Authors:
- Griffin, Greg P
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Conference:
- Transportation Research Board 97th Annual Meeting
- Location: Washington DC, United States
- Date: 2018-1-7 to 2018-1-11
- Date: 2018
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Digital/other
- Features: Figures; References; Tables;
- Pagination: 15p
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Carpools; Policy; Ridesharing; Toll roads; Tolls; Travel costs
- Subject Areas: Finance; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Policy;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01660312
- Record Type: Publication
- Report/Paper Numbers: 18-04870
- Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
- Created Date: Feb 20 2018 9:27AM