EXAMINING THE ENVIRONMENTAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIETAL, AND SUSTAINABILITY POTENTIAL OF SHARED MICROMOBILITY USAGE IN THE U.S.

Abstract

Transportation became the leading sector of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States in 2017 according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The urgency of reducing emissions from the transportation sector was manifested in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report. Moreover, inequality in income and access to resources continues to increase. From an equity and societal standpoint, transportation modes should be affordable, accessible, and convenient. Developments in technology, communication, and mobile computing have shown great potential in managing resources and increasing efficiency. Innovative research is needed to find ways to reduce such emissions. The following dissertation research focuses on a subset of shared mobility called shared micromobility which include station-based bikeshare (SBBS) and dockless e-scooter and bicycle share (DSS & DBS). The first study establishes a relationship between shared micromobility and public transportation. During three planned transit disruptions, close to 1000 additional bikeshare rides were taken. This finding shows promise that a shift to active, low-carbon mobility is possible. The second study focuses on the temporal determinants and environmental impacts of micromobility. Scooter users tend to be less sensitive to whether conditions than bike users, making scooters more competitive with public transit and auto travel. Moreover, scooter users were more sensitive to gasoline price increases, suggesting a potential shift in auto users in favor of micromobility. The third study examines the access of micromobility in six U.S. cities. In cities with well-established micromobility, higher proportions of minorities and higher poverty rates were associated with fewer trips. The implications for societal equity for this low-carbon mobility are discussed. While micromobility is sustainable and has the potential to compete with more established modes of transportation, like public transit and auto travel, there still remain inequities in access among underserved communities to be addressed.