Abstract
This study aims to explore factors that affect carsharing demand characteristics in different time periods based on EVCARD transaction data, which is the largest station-based one-way carsharing program in Shanghai, China. Monthly usage intensity and degree of usage imbalance are used as proxies of demand. This study uses three groups of independent variables: carsharing station attributes, built environment (density, diversity, design, and destination accessibility), and transportation facilities. The adaptive elastic net regression is developed to identify factors that influence carsharing usage intensity and degree of usage imbalance after factor selection using extra-randomized-tree algorithm. Finally, a station layout is proposed according to both usage intensity and degree of imbalance. The main results of this study are presented as follows: (1) different effects of built environment and transportation factors cause dynamic demand across different time periods; (2) factors with positive and negative effect on carsharing demand are divided clearly for guidance of the carsharing station layout; (3) public parking space leads to more personal vehicle trip compared to a carsharing trip; and (4) as public transportation, the relationship of the metro and carsharing is complementary. However, the bus stop and carsharing have a competitive relationship. This study provides a carsharing layout method based on both usage intensity and degree of imbalance. Furthermore, several policies concerning carsharing are proposed.
Highlights
Carsharing service allows users to avoid the money and time cost of car ownership, such as maintenance, insurance, and finding parking space
Station information includes station coordinates, station age, parking space, if a station is located at an underground garage, and if a station has limited accessibility because it is located at an internal location of companies or government department where nonemployees are not allowed to enter for a specific time period or permanently
Other factors play a positive or negative effect on the demand depending on the time period
Summary
Carsharing service allows users to avoid the money and time cost of car ownership, such as maintenance, insurance, and finding parking space. It offers more flexible car travel [1] and has been promptly developed in recent years. Carsharing can improve social equality and provide a convenient trip option to people who cannot afford a car [9]. These benefits for the society rely on the scale of the carsharing program and the program sustainability, which are dependent on the profit and cost situation of carsharing.
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