Project Summary
The research objective of this project is to identify the promises, opportunities, and associated challenges of the rapid adoption of micro-mobility services (shared e-scooters and bicycles) in cities and college campuses in the Pacific Northwest, specifically to a diverse population. A focus on younger demographics, people of color, and low-income families as well as a consideration of living environments (urban vs. rural) will be taken.
The project should develop a deep understanding the e-scooter users’ characteristics (i.e., who are the users) and behaviors (perception and preferences). Critical factors affecting their choice behaviors (i.e., for what purposes, such as transportation or recreation) and market potential for these “light-weight” personal transportation modes should also be understood.
As a result of these objectives, the knowledge gap of the ways in which these factors might impact and contribute to the emergence of a new ecosystem of shared e-micro-mobility will be filled. These types of questions can be explored by using existing behavior survey data (from service providers), e-scooter pilot testing data, and supplemental revealed-preference (RP) and stated-preference (SP) survey data. Information gained from this project about the likely demographics and purposes for using these new technologies will help to better understand what the maximum shift to these new mobility services might be.
