The role of carsharing in urban mobility: relationship with human, spatial, and modal features in Metro Vancouver

Carsharing systems, by providing the opportunity to access a vehicle without having to own it, can be considered as a desirable component of sustainable transportation strategies. They represent the missing link in the multi-modal options of transport and a complement to public and active modes of transportation. Previous research demonstrated that carsharing systems can be successfully implemented only in certain urban contexts, with specific characteristics referred to the built environment and the people living in it. The objective of this research is to understand which of these features have an influence on the success of two-way and one-way carsharing in Metro Vancouver. The findings of this research showed that the usage of both two-way and one-way carsharing is strongly influenced by contextual features, including population density, car ownership, household size, and commuting modal choice. Also, availability and quality of public transit represents the most pivotal variable to ensure carsharing success. The research also provides deeper examination of the specific relationship between two-way carsharing and public transit.