We had the pleasure of interviewing 4 of the smartest women working in the shared mobility space to gather their thoughts on the future of shared mobility, as well as its integration into society as a whole.
While we got in-depth answers for each of the above questions from each of our interviewees, you will find our favorite answers in this short slideshow, and can view more from each of our participants below.
Holly Houser, Market Manager Seattle, ReachNow
How will shared mobility change in the next 5 years?
Changes in share mobility over the next 5 years will take place in response to the following factors: increased urban density resulting in increased need, increased convenience through automation, accessibility and service options, increased government interest in creating a more favorable regulatory environment and increased anticipation of autonomous vehicles. Some developments we should expect to see include:
-Single platform integration of multiple shared mobility products and services
-Increased service network density
-Product personalization
-Greater awareness of car sharing as complimentary to traditional forms of public shared transportation resulting in a trend toward mobility hubs rather than single-service facilities.
-Products expanding to serve a broader demographic including children and the elderly.
-Increased incorporation of shared mobility services into commercial and residential developments
-Increased employer subsidies for shared mobility in lieu of personal vehicle parking
Emily Fleck, Executive Director, Carsharing Association
Why is shared mobility important for our cities and communities?
It’s been demonstrated, study after study, that carsharing in a community results in fewer privately-owned vehicles. Fewer privately-owned vehicles means lower VMT (vehicle miles traveled), which usually means people rely more on cycling, walking, taxis, transit trips.
Using these modes of transportation instead of our own cars drastically changes how we interact with our environment: we slow down, we are forced to interact a bit more with our fellow humans.
In short, when we get out of our cars, we become less isolated.
Susan Shaheen, Co-Director, University of Berkely
Why is shared mobility important for our cities and communities?
Shared mobility is important for a number of reasons. Depending on the mode and service model, it can be more environmentally sustainable (e.g., encouraging walking, first-and-last mile connections to public transit, use of alternative modes, and clean/cleaner vehicles, etc.).
Shared mobility can also provide critical access for underserved and special needs populations (e.g., older adults, disabled, suburban and rural communities with fewer public transit options, etc.).
Catherine Kargas, Vice President, Marcon
What do we have to do to convince more people to make shared mobility part of their lifestyle?
Individual vehicle ownership provides easy access and convenience. If we are to convince more people to make shared mobility part of their lifestyle, it will be imperative to make shared mobility use easy and convenient. Shared mobility at a lower cost than individual vehicle ownership will also be important as a way of encouraging the right actions. Given that transportation is such an important contributor to GHG emissions, it is essential that mobility services reflect a trip’s carbon footprint and present options to users that encourage them to make the right environmental decisions. Electric shared mobility should be recognized in the calculation of the carbon footprint.
Ease of access and use means a one-stop shop for all of one’s mobility needs: one app, integrated mobility services and coverage on a geographic territory that is wide enough to meet users’ needs. It also means additional benefits that can be accrued to users, much like the more successful loyalty programs.
If Mobility as a Service is to be embraced by consumers (including those who are motorists), the connection between the various mobility options will need to be so seamless that we will no longer be talking about multimodal mobility, but rather OMNImodal mobility.
This OMNImodality will be essential to making it easy for consumers to make the transition to MaaS (a sustainable mobility ecosystem). The connections between the modes have to be quick, reliable and hassle-free.
