Measuring the travel behaviour impact of free-floating car-sharing

Abstract

Free-floating car-sharing schemes operate without fixed car-sharing stations, ahead reservations or return-trip requirements. Providing fast and convenient motorization, they attract both public transport users and (former) car-owners. Thus, its impact on individual travel behavior depends on the user type. Estimating the travel behavior impact of these novel systems therefore requires quantitative data. Using a two-wave survey approach including travel diaries, this research shows, that free-floating car-sharing substantially reduces private vehicle ownership. The results further indicate, that free-floating car-sharing lets its members use cars less leading to lower energy consumption and CO 2 emissions. Moreover, the results suggest, that free-floating car-sharing both complements and competes with station-based car-sharing.