Need a lift? Want to carpool? Characteristics of different target groups of ride sharing

Need a lift? Want to carpool? Characteristics of different target groups of ride sharing Reyhaneh Farrokhikhiavi, M.A. ISB, RWTH Aachen University European Conference on Mobility Management 2011

Project background Potentials and options of cross linking internet based car pooling platforms (CPP) for commuters → isb.rwth-aachen.de

User survey • Purposes • Characteristics of target groups for CPP • Users’ requirements for ride sharing • Users’ requirements for car pooling platforms • Survey design • Online survey • Users addressed by email / newsletter • over 2,300 respondents

User survey • Topics • Questions on the used car pooling platform • Reasons, requirements and obstacles concerning ride sharing • Attitudes and values • Mobility behavior and personal mobility opportunities • Type and scope of employment and • Sociodemographic characteristics.

User survey Definitions Offer or need a lift Carpool

Result of user survey • Search on internet based car pooling platforms • 53% of the users search outside “their” carpooling platform • 6% both in other ways and on other platforms • 23% in other ways • 19% on other platforms → isb.rwth-aachen.de

Result of user survey Sociodemographic characteristics of the users  Two groups of people in different phases of life

Result of user survey • Work time models • Fixed working hours • Optimal partners for carpool among colleagues • Depend less on extern services • Variable working hours • Better coordination and adjustment to possible car pooling partners •  Flextime no obstacle per se

Result of user survey Distance between residence and place of work In Germany: av. 17 km Lift: av. 35 km Carpool: av. 66 km

Result of user survey Mobility opportunities and mobility behavior  Long ways to work combined with lacking public transport connection increase chance that people want to carpool

Result of user survey Reasons Reduce costs Protect the environment Poor public transport connection

Result of user survey Obstacles Far off meeting points Poor reliability Way of driving Carpool: lack of flexibility

Result of user survey Requirements Fair cost sharing Safety Carpool: Guarantee for return Meeting point in walking distance

Result of user survey Requirements on platforms

Result of user survey Attitudes and values

Result of user survey Attitudes

Result of user survey choice of means of transport

User survey • Conclusion • Long ways to work + lacking public transport connection  carpool • Leading motive: reducing costs • Main requirement: fair cost sharing • Requirement of carpoolers: guarantee for return • Two groups of user – lift and carpool – in different phases of life • Attitudes and values: Lift and carpool very similar •  people searching/offering a lift today tomorrows carpoolers?

Thank you for your attention! Contact: Reyhaneh Farrokhikhiavi RWTH Aachen University ISB - Institute of Urban and Transport Planning Fon: 0049-241-80 25 206 Fax: 0049-241-80 22 247 e-mail: farrokhikhiavi@isb.rwth-aachen.de

Need a lift? Want to carpool? Characteristics of different target groups of ride sharing