Transportation network companies (TNCs) and microtransit are changing the way people travel by providing dynamic, on-demand mobility that can supplement public transit and personal vehicle use. Early research suggests that TNCs can expand access and mobility for underserved communities, such as racial minorities and persons with disabilities. However, heavy TNC use among all socio-demographic populations could contribute to increased vehicle miles traveled, congestion, and/or greenhouse gas emissions. Well-designed policy strategies are needed to balance the objectives of increasing mobility and access for underserved communities while simultaneously mitigating the potential adverse impacts of increased TNC usage through policies such as pooling and first-mile and last-mile linkages. However, more research is needed to better understand the mobility gaps and needs of underserved populations to identify potential strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of TNCs and other on-demand transportation services and make the services more equitable. This part of the project proposes to employ a mixed-method approach to examine on-demand transportation services for underserved populations with a focus on shared-ride services. A series of interviews and a literature review will be conducted, identifying individual narratives and lived experiences to put the flesh into quantitative analysis. The study will deploy a national mobility survey and conduct analysis to uncover current shared mobility user patterns and possible relationships to transportation equity. This study will inform why certain socio-demographic populations are more likely to use on-demand transportation services, particularly shared mobilities, factors that contribute to user behavior, and potential strategies to maximize equitable access and mobility offered through these services while mitigating potential adverse impacts.
National Institute for Congestion Reduction
Finding innovation solutions to traffic congestion.
