Carsharing for sustainable urban mobility. Possibilities and obstacles of integrating car sharing into public transport

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

1.1 Context and problem definition

1.2 Objectives and methodological approach

2. Initial Situation

2.1 Mobility, traffic and sustainable urban mobility

2.2 Global environmental issues

3. Car Sharing as an Example of Shared Mobility

3.1 The sharing economy

3.2 Definition of car sharing

3.3 Types of car sharing

3.3.1 Stationed-based car sharing

3.3.2 Free-floating car sharing

3.3.3 Peer-to-Peer car sharing

3.4 Car sharing market in Germany

3.5 Relevant providers in Germany

3.6 Motives behind the use of car sharing

3.6.1 Economic motivation

3.6.2 Environmental motivation

3.7 The pros and cons of car sharing

3.8 Practical examples of the sharing economy

4. Combined Mobility – The Interface between Individual and Public Transport

4.1 Public transport in Germany

4.2 Combined mobility as a challenge for future public transport

4.3 The impact of car sharing on public transport

5. The Effects of Car Sharing Systems on Mobility and Environment in Urban Areas

5.1 Car sharing – The fourth pillar of the environmental alliance

5.2 Mobility as a Service

5.3 Electric mobility

5.4 Reduction of traffic congestion through car sharing

6. Research Question and Objectives

7. Methodology

7.1 Research design

7.2 Data gathering method

7.3 Design of the interview guide

7.4 Experts

7.5 Procedure

7.6 Analysis of qualitative data

8. Research Findings

8.1 Introduction of experts

8.2 Section one: Traffic situation

8.2.1 Germany

8.2.2 Traffic changes

8.3 Section two: Car sharing

8.3.1 Existing barriers

8.3.2 Possible incentives

8.3.3 Interfaces and alliances

8.3.4 Support from federal, state and local authorities

8.3.5 Communication measures

8.3.6 Future developments

8.4 Section three: Collective passenger transport

8.4.1 Existing obstacles

8.4.2 Possible incentives

8.4.3 Future developments

8.4.4 Recap

9. Discussion

9.1 Results

9.2 Limitations and recommendations

10. Conclusion

Objectives and Research Themes

The core objective of this master's thesis is to evaluate the role of car sharing as a viable contributor to sustainable urban mobility and to identify the critical success factors and obstacles associated with its integration. The study explores how car sharing can work in tandem with public transport to minimize the need for private vehicle ownership, particularly in densely populated urban environments like Stuttgart.

• Theoretical foundations of the sharing economy and various car sharing models.
• Economic and environmental motivations for adopting car sharing services.
• The interface and potential synergies between public transport and shared mobility options.
• Technical, infrastructural, and regulatory challenges to mainstreaming car sharing.
• Qualitative insights from expert interviews concerning future developments in the German mobility market.

Excerpt from the Thesis

Summary of Chapters

1. Introduction: Presents the motivation for sustainable mobility, the research problem, and the methodology used to analyze car sharing.

2. Initial Situation: Explores the conceptual definitions of mobility and traffic while highlighting global environmental pressure caused by rising vehicle figures.

3. Car Sharing as an Example of Shared Mobility: Provides a comprehensive overview of the sharing economy, different car sharing typologies (station-based, free-floating, P2P), and their specific pros and cons.

4. Combined Mobility – The Interface between Individual and Public Transport: Examines the synergy between public transport networks and car sharing, emphasizing the need for intermodal connectivity.

5. The Effects of Car Sharing Systems on Mobility and Environment in Urban Areas: Discusses the environmental benefits of car sharing, including electrification and the potential for reduced traffic congestion.

6. Research Question and Objectives: Outlines the core research inquiries driving the empirical investigation, specifically focusing on the German city of Stuttgart.

7. Methodology: Details the qualitative research approach, the selection of experts, the interview process, and the content analysis techniques employed.

8. Research Findings: Reports on the primary themes derived from expert interviews, covering traffic trends, market barriers, and policy implications for shared mobility.

9. Discussion: Critically evaluates the research results against theoretical literature and addresses potential for future growth, including autonomous driving.

10. Conclusion: Synthesizes the main findings and provides recommendations for integrating car sharing into urban planning and public transport policy.

Key Terms

Car sharing, Sustainable mobility, Sharing economy, Public transport, Stuttgart, Urban planning, Mobility as a Service (MaaS), Electric mobility, CO2 emissions, Station-based, Free-floating, Peer-to-Peer, Intermodality, Traffic congestion, Infrastructure

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of this thesis?

The thesis focuses on examining the development of the car sharing industry in Germany and its potential contribution to sustainable urban mobility solutions, especially in the context of reducing private car reliance.

What are the key thematic pillars investigated?

The work covers theoretical concepts of the sharing economy, the environmental impact of transport, the integration of car sharing with public transit, and practical barriers to market expansion.

What is the core research question addressed by the author?

The study aims to clarify how car sharing can be optimally integrated into public transport systems in cities like Stuttgart, identify existing obstacles, and determine how to avoid internal cannibalization between mobility providers.

Which methodology did the author use for data collection?

The author employed a qualitative research design, conducting semi-structured expert interviews with representatives from the transport industry, city planners, and academic researchers to gather empirical insights.

What content is analyzed in the main body (theoretical part)?

The theoretical part covers the definitions of car sharing types (station-based, free-floating, P2P), market status in Germany, economic and environmental motivations, and the challenges of intermodal transport.

Which keywords best characterize the work?

The essential keywords include Car sharing, Sustainable mobility, Sharing economy, Public transport, Urban planning, MaaS, and Electric mobility.

How does the author define the relationship between car sharing and public transport?

The author views them as potentially complementary partners, where car sharing fills the gaps in public transport networks, provided that intermodal interfaces are seamless.

What is the significance of the Stuttgart case study within this paper?

Stuttgart serves as a practical testing ground for the research, reflecting industrial regional trends, high automobile density, and specific local initiatives like the Transport Development Concept 2030.