Development Of Car-sharing Research Articles

Car-sharing development – current state and perspective

The article presents the development of urban car-sharing systems. In recent years, we have observed substantial increase in the number of such systems implemented all over the world. The number of users has also been rapidly growing which translates into the impact car-sharing services have on transportation behaviour. Additionally, the process contributes to changes of the modal split. The analysis presented covers systems in operation in Europe, Asia and North America. The article is divided into two parts. The first one presents historical development of car-sharing systems, whereas the second, prospects for their development in 2020-2025.

Drivers of carsharing diffusion in Germany: an actor-centred approach

Carsharing increasingly gains ground as a transportation mode in Europe and the world. The present paper contributes to the literature by studying the roles and interplay of market and non-market actors in the diffusion of carsharing. It applies an actor-centred framework to the context of market development of carsharing in Germany, considering the perspectives of carsharing providers, customers, and politics. Data from secondary sources, national published printed matters, and survey data are used to analyse market and non-market actors. Results from the customer survey show that motives of convenience and value matter more than ideological motives such as environmental awareness. Findings at the provider-level correspond to this result, as even ‘traditional’ companies adjust their services to improve their usefulness. The analysis of public policy measures indicates that only marginal national level political action has been taken. This finding is in stark contrast to other European countries, such as the Netherlands or Italy. The synthesis of relations between the different market and non-market actors reveals that infrastructural variables are a key determinant for carsharing diffusion. In view of the recent growth of carsharing services infrastructural provision becomes even more salient. Disposing of the critical resource of parking space, political actors can catalyse the ongoing process of cross- and trans-regional diffusion.

Assessment of the Future Development of Car Sharing in Germany and Related Opportunities

Car sharing, which can be defined as sharing vehicle services amongst members, thereby giving them access to a fleet of vehicles, is important in promoting the use of sustainable modes of transport. Although the car‐sharing market in Germany has grown considerably in recent years, customer take‐up is still relatively low. Only 0.16% of driving licence holders in Germany have joined a car‐sharing organization. As a result, the central objective of this paper is to assess ways of promoting car‐sharing services further. Therefore, it begins with an investigation into the current situation in Germany, for which a survey addressing all German car‐sharing organizations was conducted. Additionally, a household survey was conducted to evaluate the demand for car sharing. Finally, research into the development of car sharing in other countries was undertaken via the Internet and a brief survey to car‐sharing organizations in some of those countries. Recommendations for the further development of car sharing are given based on the findings from each of these studies.