Research Project Description

Mineta Transportation Institute

Carsharing and Carbon Dioxide Emission Reduction Across Density and Transit Quality Gradients in the U.S.

Phase Two: Evaluating the Environmental Justice Effects of Land Use and Transportation Scenarios in the Sacramento Region with the PECAS Activity Allocation Model and an Advanced Travel Demand Model

Project Number: 2702

Project Abstract: Transportation is a major contributor of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from human activity, accounting for approximately 14% of total anthropogenic emissions globally and about 27% in the U.S. Fortunately, transportation technologies and strategies are emerging that can help to meet the climate challenge. Carsharing is one mobility management strategy that shows significant potential to reduce CO2 emissions.

This study reviews the international literature on CO2 reduction strategies, develops a methodology for calculating CO2 reductions for carsharing, and then applies this methodology to three urban regions in the U.S. (i.e., Philadelphia, Chicago, and San Francisco), using existing program data that varies in timeframe and collection method. The results of this limited study will be a study methodology and an understanding of the relative magnitude of CO2 reduction that may be possible from wider implementation of carsharing strategies in major urban areas compared to other CO2 reduction policies that are currently being contemplated in California, the U.S., and the world. In addition, researchers will survey members of these organizations to identify their auto ownership and VMT levels before and after joining the carsharing organizations (during the same timeframe and using the same survey tools for consistency across the study population). Researchers will then apply the CO2 reduction methodology developed in the current study, which will account for low-emission fleet characteristics, to estimate CO2 reduction benefits of different types of carsharing programs, Finally, the study will produce as a set of recommendations to aid cities in developing carsharing policies that produce optimal CO2 reduction benefits.

Principal Investigator: Susan A. Shaheen, Ph.D., Assistant Research Scientist & Program Leader, California PATH, University of California Berkeley

Team Member: Caroline J. Rodier, Ph.D.,Assistant Research Engineer, PATH, University of California, Berkeley

Team Member: Joseph Michael Pogodzinski, Ph. D., Professor, Department of Economics, San José State University

Institution:
Mineta Transportation Institute

Telephone Number:
(408) 924-7560
Email Address: mineta-institute@sjsu.edu

Milestones Dates:

Task 1: Recruit carsharing survey to implement on–line survey

Task 2: Draft and code survey instruments

Task 3: Administer on-line survey

Task 4: Analyze Data

Task 5: Draft final report

Task 6: Revise final report

Note: Following submission of final report MTI process includes editing, proofreading, and printing. Allow 2 months.

Total Budget: $58,914.06 (Includes $6,450 for MTI costs)

Student Involvement:
Student Research Assistant, Eliot Martin

Technology Transfer Activities:

Upon publication, pdf and html versions will be available on the Mineta Transportation Institute web site. The project experience and data will be available for community meetings. Authors are encouraged to submit articles based on the research to relevant journals and to present the information to end-users at conferences.

Potential Benefits of the Project:

The results of this study will inform planners and policy makers about the relative magnitude of CO2 reduction that may be possible from wider implementation of carsharing strategies in areas with different land use and transit characteristics and compared to other CO2 reduction policies that are currently being contemplated in California, the U.S., and worldwide. The study will also illustrate a methodological approach that could be replicated by regions that implement carsharing programs to estimate the CO2 reduction benefits. Finally, the study will produce as a set of recommendations to aid cities in developing carsharing policies that produce optimal CO2 reduction benefits. These results will be particularly useful and timely in light of California’s Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32). CARB is required to adopt formal AB 32 regulations by January 1, 2008, and to produce a plan for achieving target emission reductions, through market mechanisms and other actions, by January 1, 2009. Carsharing could factor into this plan.

TRB Keywords:

Greenhouse gases, car sharing

Primary Subject:
Transportation/Land Use/Environment

TRIS Functions: Energy and Environment, Planning, Policy and Legal Issues

TRIS Modes: Highways, Intermodal