Advancing Social Equity and Congestion Relief: Understanding the Travel Needs of Underserved Populations That Rely on Transportation Network Companies in the San Francisco Bay Area

Abstract

Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) enable travelers to order and pay for rides on-demand using an online application that connects them with drivers using their personal vehicles. While these modes present opportunities to increase individual mobility and access, they also can worsen congestion and increase vehicle emissions. Researchers explored factors impacting the willingness to use pooled TNCs and identified strategies/policies that could be employed to reduce congestion from TNC use. Researchers conducted a literature review, interviews with TNC experts, semi-structured interviews with lower-income, non-White TNC users, and small group discussions with lower- income, non-White TNC users. This research resulted in several key findings including the importance of travel time in the decision to pool, greater focus on meeting the needs of people with disabilities, key operational and safety drawbacks of public transportation (e.g., delayed vehicles, harassment onboard), and the importance of personal safety in transportation decision-making. These findings informed several policy options to better understand how TNC benefits can be maximized while minimizing their negative externalities, such as congestion and vehicle emissions.