The Missing Link: An Evaluation of CarSharing Portland Inc. Portland, Oregon

摘要

Often heard in the mass media and at cocktail parties is that Americans have a love affair with their automobiles. While it may be true that many Americans do love their cars, it is equally true that what they love most about them is the instant mobility that they provide. Car sharing is a concept that addresses the reality ofour need and desire for mobility with a growing desire to be economically and environmentally sensitive and sensible. Car sharing provides access to automobiles without the costs associated with ownership.The purpose of this project is to evaluate the impacts of car sharing as a mobility service and to determine how to best incorporate car sharing into local and regional transportation planning. Mobility services are a collection oftransportation options provided by one or more organizations working in concert. These transportation options are generally economical, convenient, and environmentally sustainable.Car sharing means access to automobiles without individual ownership. Car sharing organizations manage a fleet ofvehicles for membersu27 use. In a cooperative organization, the members own the vehicles jointly. In a for profit version, it functions as short term auto rental with many ofthe same features ofan auto agency such as the provision of insurance and maintenance. In a car sharing organization, the costs of fuel and dedicated off-street parking spaces are reflected in the hourly and per-mile charge levied on the user.The focus of this evaluation is on CarSharing Portland, Inc. (CSP) and the existing policies and regulations in the Portland metropolitan region that support the use ofcar sharing. The analysis is augmented with an examination ofselected car sharing organizations in other countries as well as the United States. The CSP workshop group hypothesized that car sharing can support local and regional efforts to reduce vehicle miles traveled; reduce the demand for parking; and reduce hazardous air emissions.