Ridesharing (or carpooling) allows for two or more individuals to travel together in the same vehicle to save money and time.1 This reduces traffic congestion by allowing individuals to utilize high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes in crowded urban areas and save on parking and gasoline expenses.
How it Helps
Although the research on the environmental benefits of ridesharing is mixed, this approach may contribute to less traffic congestion and reduced vehicle emissions and noise levels.2 Additionally, being able to avoid the hassle of finding and paying for parking in dense urban cities can reduce stress levels and minimize the risk of motor vehicle accidents. It will also decrease the increasingly high demand of parking infrastructure in city centers, while still allowing road users without a car to connect with community resources and reach their essential destinations.
Implementing
Incentives:
There are several ways to encourage more individuals to participate in ridesharing programs or carpool with their friends and coworkers. These can include reduced cost or free parking and reward programs.3 Additionally, employers can offer employee carpool programs that provide ride matching services to encourage their employees to carpool to work.4 Offering financial incentives to go along with this program would further entice employees to participate.
Education:
It would be helpful to educate individuals on how ridesharing benefits the environment, as well as reduces the wear and tear of their own vehicles. Providing a cost comparison analysis of driving alone to work versus carpooling can also encourage the use of more ridesharing services.
Examples
1) Uber, Lyft, and Other Apps
There are many easy-to-use ridesharing apps available to individuals who want to adopt a more environmentally-friendly way of commuting.
2) Commute Solutions Program
Commute Solutions is a program offered in Central Texas that allows users to find alternative travel options such as carpooling. The service’s goal is to reduce traffic, help the environment, and improve the mobility of Central Texans.
3) RideAmigos
RideAmigos offers mobile and web-based commuter engagement solutions with the primary goals of reducing traffic congestion, environmental impact, and parking demand while making the community healthier and safer. RideAmigos provides incentives to road users to encourage them to utilize public transportation. They offer various transportation demand management programs for employers, universities, and agencies to find more sustainable transportation options.
1. Shaheen, S. A., et al. (2007). Reducing Greenhouse Emissions and Fuel Consumption: Sustainable Approaches for Surface Transportation. IATSS Research, 311, 6-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0386-1112(14)60179-5
2. RNR Tires. (2020). The Environmental Benefits of Carpooling. https://rnrtires.com/tips-guides/the-environmental-benefits-of-carpooling/
3. EPA. (2001). Carpool Incentive Programs: Implementing Commuter Benefits Under the Commuter Choice Leadership Initiative. http://www.cleanairpartnerstx.org/resources/Carpool%20Incentive%20Programs%20-%20EPA.pdf
4. RideAmigos. (2019). 3 Easy Ways to Get Employees to Carpool. https://rideamigos.com/3-easy-ways-to-get-employees-to-carpool