Ridesharing as a Potential Sustainable Transportation Alternative in Suburban Universities: The Case of Najran University, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

In Saudi Arabia, car ownership rates are considered comparatively high due to the lack of other alternatives, cheap fuel and car registration costs, and higher income. The population relies mainly on automobiles for their daily trips and primarily commutes alone, contributing to many negative consequences. Therefore, ridesharing is a transportation mode that is a suitable approach in such an area, since it can increase the occupancy rates and reduce single-occupant driving, which in turn can cut vehicle emissions, contribute to a reduction in vehicle ownership and vehicle miles traveled, alleviate traffic congestions and accidents, and decrease the need for parking spaces. Suburban universities are considered major trip generators and attractors. They also can offer a niche market for ridesharing programs. Thus, data was obtained from a survey performed at Najran University to investigate the ridesharing behavior among the university population. Following a descriptive analysis of the commuter survey data, a binary logistic regression model was adopted to investigate the interest in ridesharing. The estimation results show being female and non-Saudi, as well as being students and faculty members in general (versus staff), along with the presence of fixed (regular) work or class schedules, increase the likelihood of ridesharing. Since the probability of most of the university population (i.e., students and faculty members) toward ridesharing is high, the number of automobiles needed by commuters will be reduced, resulting in a higher transition to environmentally sustainable urban mobility. In addition, the university has many motivators that can positively affect the propensity to rideshare, such as the lack of public transportation, fixed schedules, a longer distance to campus, and a similar social background among attendees; therefore, universities or other large employers can take these motivators into account when planning ridesharing services.