01763707

Component

https://doi.org/10.1177/03611981211036346

Mobility systems in metropolitan areas in both the Global North and the Global South have entered an era of rapid change since the early 2010s under the influence of mobile information and communication technologies (ICTs). Mobile ICT-based shared mobility platforms have been filling some of the gaps in transport supply left by historical modes of transport (i.e., private cars, public transit, and for-hire services). Shared mobility digital platforms are a subcategory of mobility applications that give individual customers direct and full access to one or several shared mobility services. Based on a worldwide systematic census, this paper documents the diversity of services provided by such platforms, then analyzes the trends in geographic distribution and competition among platforms across the world’s metropolises. It proposes a new classification of shared mobility services. Since innovations in shared mobility are also taking a leading place in the Global South, future research avenues in this field are discussed in an effort to break away from the prior focus of the scientific literature on the Global North. The census brings out four original findings. First, the rise of shared mobility digital platforms is a worldwide metropolitan phenomenon transcending the traditional distinction between the Global North and the Global South. Second, emerging countries have become clusters for innovation and competition among platforms. Third, three types of shared mobility digital platforms are identified based on geographic reach (local, regional, or global). Fourth, shared mobility digital platforms providing for-hire services are the most widespread in the world.

Virginie Boutueil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8782-558X © National Academy of Sciences: Transportation Research Board 2021.

TRBAM-21-00740

English

0000-0001-8782-558X

0000-0003-2403-6326

0000-0002-0906-9245

pp 69-82

2022-2

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board

Digital/other

Appendices; Figures; Maps; References (32) ; Tables

Classification; Competition; Geography; Mobile applications; Shared mobility; Transportation modes

Data and Information Technology; Highways; Passenger Transportation; Pedestrians and Bicyclists

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Dec 23 2020 11:09AM