01047628

Component

https://doi.org/10.3141/1992-10

http://scholar.google.com...ohen&publication_year=2007

Carsharing (or short-term auto use) provides a flexible alternative that meets diverse transportation needs across the globe while reducing the negative impacts of private vehicle ownership. Although carsharing appeared in Europe between the 1940s and 1980s, the concept did not become popularized until the early 1990s. For nearly 20 years, worldwide participation in carsharing has been growing. Today, carsharing operates in approximately 600 cities around the world, in 18 nations and on 4 continents. Approximately 348,000 individuals share nearly 11,700 vehicles as part of organized carsharing services (>60% in Europe). Malaysia is operating a carsharing pilot, with a planned launch in 2007. Another eight countries are exploring carsharing. Thirty-three carsharing expert surveys were identified on an international basis. Cost savings, convenient locations, and guaranteed parking were identified as the most common motivations for carsharing use worldwide. An international comparison of carsharing operations, including similarities and differences, is provided. Continued growth is forecast, particularly among new and emerging market segments, such as businesses and universities. Growth-oriented operators will continue to account for the largest number of members and fleets deployed worldwide. In addition, high energy costs; limited and expensive parking; ongoing diffusion of operational knowledge, benefits, and supportive technologies; and increased demand for personal vehicle access in developing nations will affect carsharing’s growth and expansion.

01077203

English

pp 81-89

2007

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board

9780309104180

Print

Figures (2) ; References (35) ; Tables (3)

Alternatives analysis; Automobile ownership; Globalization; Market development; Parking facilities; Parking fees; Pilot studies; Public transit; Transportation planning; Vehicle sharing

Europe

Finance; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Terminals and Facilities

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Feb 8 2007 7:16PM

• Accuracy and Precision of the Transit Tracker System
• Another Look at FTA-Approved Sampling Plans for Fixed-Route Bus Services
• Are Smart Cards the Smart Way to Go? Examining Their Adoption by U.S. Transit Agencies
• Bursting the Bubble: Determining Transit-Oriented Development’s Walkable Limits
• City CarShare: Longer-Term Travel Demand and Car Ownership Impacts
• Emergency Evacuation Planning and Preparedness of Transit Facilities: Traffic Simulation Modeling
• Impact of Rising Fuel Prices on U.S. Transit Ridership
• Maturity of Key Technologies Provides More Options for Transit and Paratransit Planners
• Quantifying Position Accuracy of Multimodal Data from Global Positioning System–Enabled Cell Phones
• System Planning for Quality Transit Projects
• Transit Ridership, Automobile Gas Prices, and World Events: New Drivers of Change?
• Use of Archived Bus Location, Dispatch, and Ridership Data for Transit Analysis
• Where Does Carsharing Work? Using Geographic Information Systems to Assess Market Potential