Urban mobility in the sharing economy: A spatiotemporal comparison of shared mobility services

Abstract

The influx of micro-mobility services, such as dockless scooter-share and e-bikes, in many cities are contributing to a substantial change in urban transportation with adoption rates reminiscent of other shared-mobility services, such as ride-hailing, years prior. Touted as a solution to the last mile problem, a multitude of micro-mobility companies have situated themselves in urban centers promising low cost alternative transportation options for short, urban travel. The rapid arrival of these companies, however, has left little time for city officials, transportation planners, and citizens to assess the demand for these services and compare them to existing transportation options. In this work, we investigate two key aspects of these micro-mobility services. First, we identify the spatial and temporal differences between these mobility companies and highlight the nuanced differences in usage patterns. Second, we compare these new services to an existing mode of transportation, namely automobile-based ride-hailing, with regards to differences in travel time within a city. The results of these analyses indicate that while many micro-mobility companies are spatiotemporally similar, there are notable differences in where and when these services are used. Similarly, we find that automobile travel is not always the fastest means of transportation within an urban setting. During periods of heavy traffic congestion, e.g., rush hour, micro-mobility services offer a faster means of travel within the city. The findings presented in this work offer evidence on which to inform urban planning and transportation policy with respect to shared mobility services, free floating vehicles, and alternative urban transportation.