Shared micromobility & public transport - user perspective

Background

How shared micro mobility services will develop in the near future and how they can and should interact with other modes of transport in order to create the most value for society is a complex question. In order to build a knowledge base for decision makers within the transport and planning sector, several approaches and perspectives need to be included. However, most of the research on shared micromobility and shared micromobility in combination with public transport, respectively, focus on quantitative aspects and/or are conducted with the use of quantitative methods. Very few studies have a qualitative approach and the ones that do, focus on the perspective of other stakeholders, such as decision makers and planners.

Methods

Using in-depth interviewing in Gothenburg and Malmö, we will gather insights into the needs and behaviors of the end users. This will be followed by a quantitative survey in both cities to understand the implications of our findings on a larger scale. The project will be contextualized by a litterature review, running in parallel with the empirical studies.

Results

The results will form a basis for strategic decision making in the transport sector, for actors such as municipalities, public transport agencies, micro mobility actors and governmental agencies. Being rooted in a qualitative approach, the project will help to fill the knowledge gap regarding the users perspective on shared micro mobility services and public transport when used in combination. A better understanding of the drivers, behaviors and decision making of the end users, increases our capacity to understand the why’s and what if’s of shared micromobility and public transport.

By complementing existing knowledge and ongoing studies, the project will strengthen the ability of decisions makers, planners and other stakeholders to make sustainable decisions about the way that shared micromobility is established, funded, integrated, packaged and regulated. Understanding the users perspective more in-depth can also help us to formulate strategies to shift modal choice away from private cars, as well as form the basis for more well informed decision making and trade-offs between social, ecological and economical perspectives.