Studying mode choice in multimodal networks including shared modes

Abstract

Following the emergence of new mobility trends, in which shared mobility plays an essential role, Public transport operators face the challenge of reacting in a convenient way to the changes brought to the transportation scene. Even though different collaborations are being put in place between public operators and shared mobility providers, the effects they may have in mode choice are still uncertain, and to the best of the author’s knowledge still to be studied. Accordingly, a stated choice experiment was conducted in the city of Rotterdam, in which preferences towards shared bicycles and shared mopeds were analysed under the assumption of a perfect integration between transit and shared mobility. The results suggest that under said conditions, shared modes have the potential to be interesting egress alternatives for trips by metro, which could imrprove preferences towards the metro. Furthermore, considering choice determinants exhibited during the experiment, it is noticed that egress cost and total travel time are key aspects for traveller’s choices. Finally, young people, respondents that claimed having used shared modes before, and frequent transit users showed a better perception of shared modes.