Understand Usage Patterns of E-scooter Sharing and Policy Implications

Shared e-scooter is a fairly new transportation mode that emerged in late 2017. Since then, it has gained popularity around the world; however, it also has spiraled into disarray in many cities due to the lack of e-scooter regulations and improper parking and riding behaviors. Limited understanding of shared e-scooters restrains policymakers from developing more effective regulations and promoting this sustainable transportation mode. This study takes a step towards understanding e-scooter user behaviors by investigating factors that influence e-scooter sharing usage and auto mode substitution. Survey data were collected from shared e-scooter users, and random parameter models were applied to explore the factors influencing e-scooter sharing usage and mode substitution. Factors considered in models include sociodemographic information, user behaviors, trip purposes, and health indicators. Model results identify several factors that significantly influence shared e-scooter usage, factors include user gender, helmet use, exposure to shared e-scooters, ownership of an e-scooter, where they ride, opinions on speed limits, and trip purposes. The findings for auto substitution suggest that shared e-scooters are potentially competing with transportation network company (TNC)/taxi, lower costs and social/entertainment trip purposes are the contribution factors. The authors also find that user household with multiple vehicles contributes to private vehicle substitution. Research outcomes suggest shared e-scooters could play a significant role in urban transportation sustainability. The insights toward better practices of e-scooter regulations and planning are discussed at the end of paper to help cities improve the performance of shared e-scooter programs and make it a more sustainable transportation mode.

• Record URL:
  https://cpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/sites.coecis.cornell.edu/dist/6/132/files/2016/04/USF_YR4_ZHANG_FINAL_UNDERSTAND-USAGE-PATTERNS.pdf
• 
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/56091
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This document was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program. Cover date: March 31, 2020.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of South Florida, Tampa

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  4202 E. Flowler Avenue, ENB 118
  Tampa, FL  United States  33620-5350

  Center for Transportation, Environment, and Community Health

  Cornell University
  Ithaca, NY  United States  14853

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Zhang, Yu
  • 0000-0003-1202-626X
  • Guo, Yujie
  • 0000-0003-3820-6840
• Publication Date: 2021-3-31

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: 21p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Demographics; Electric vehicles; Health; Modal shift; Policy; Scooters; Surveys; Travel behavior; Trip purpose; Vehicle sharing
• Subject Areas: Highways; Policy; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01771688
• Record Type: Publication
• Contract Numbers: 69A3551747119
• Files: UTC, NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: May 21 2021 10:54AM