What Mobility Modes Do Shared E-Scooters Displace? A Review of Recent Research Findings

The impacts of shared e-scooters on modal shifts have received increased attention in recent years. This study provides a review of the literature for modal shifts in the U.S. and other countries. The authors also conduct an exploration of behavioral survey data collected in several major U.S. cities in 2019. The profile of shared e-scooter users is found to be rather similar to that of station-based and free-floating bikeshare programs. Depending on the circumstances, shared e-scooters either substitute for or complement the use of other travel modes. The empirical data reveal that people use shared e-scooters in place of cars at substantial rates, which suggests that in many locations shared e-scooters may be a good strategy for reducing car dependence. The use of shared e-scooters to complement public transit highly varies with the local context, showing a potential for modal integration in some cities. In addition, the authors argue more attention is needed to offering proper regulations and dedicated infrastructure for both e-scooter riders and other vulnerable road users, to increase safety and motivate users to make desirable mode shifts (in particular from car travel) that might help fight traffic congestion and reduce emissions.

• Record URL:
  https://annualmeeting.mytrb.org/OnlineProgram/Details/15657
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AP020 Standing Committee on Innovative Public Transportation Services and Technologies.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  ,    
• Authors:
  • Wang, Kailai
  • Qian, Xiaodong
  • Circella, Giovanni
  • Lee, Yongsung
  • 0000-0002-1980-1225
  • Malik, Jai
  • Fitch, Dillon Taylor
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 100th Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2021-1-5 to 2021-1-29
• Date: 2021

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: 19p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobile travel; Electric vehicles; Literature reviews; Modal shift; Scooters; Transportation planning; Vehicle sharing
• Subject Areas: Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01764436
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: TRBAM-21-04082
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Feb 4 2021 4:48PM