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Abstract for presentation (Poster or Podium) with a Paper in the Conference Proceedings

Sustainable Transportation & Urban Development

Scooting Towards Equity: A Comprehensive Study of Shared E-Scooter Impact in Chicago

Sunday, June 16, 2024
3:00 PM - 4:15 PM ET
Room: Galleria
Abstract: Shared electric scooters, often known as e-scooters, have grown in popularity in urban transportation due to their ease and ability to alleviate last-mile connectivity issues. This study focuses on the city of Chicago as a case study to investigate the equitable implications of e-scooter adoption. This study examines various facets of e-scooter usage, including trip duration, temporal patterns, spatial distribution, and their influence on transportation equity, with a particular emphasis on sociodemographic factors. Leveraging data from the 2020 Chicago pilot program, which encompassed over 600,000 e-scooter trips, our research delves into the multifaceted dimensions of equity. Specifically, the interplay of sociodemographic characteristics of the origin and destination neighborhoods, trip duration, trip distance, and other critical variables affecting e-scooter usage were explored. The findings of this study reveal potential access disparities for residents in low-income neighborhoods, primarily stemming from pricing and trip distance constraints. Legislative suggestions such as low-income payment schemes, distribution regulations, and incentives to achieve equitable access are also examined. Furthermore, this study investigates the role of e-scooters as a first- and last-mile solution and their capacity to enhance access to public transportation networks. Beyond sociodemographic factors, the impact of spatiotemporal characteristics, the built environment, user demographics, payment alternatives, and safety considerations on e-scooter utilization were explored. This comprehensive analysis provides invaluable insights into the equity implications of shared e-scooters within an urban context, with Chicago serving as a representative case study. Our findings underscore the importance of developing policies and strategies that foster inclusive access to e-scooters while advancing the broader goals of sustainable urban mobility.

Learning Objectives:

Attendees can expect to learn the following from this session:
  • Gain an understanding of factors contributing to the growth of e-scooters in urban transportation and their role in addressing last-mile connectivity challenges.
  • Explore the case study of Chicago to investigate the equitable implications of e-scooter adoption, with a specific focus on sociodemographic factors.
  • Learn about multifaceted dimensions of equity, including disparities in access for residents in low-income neighborhoods and incentives for equitable e-scooter access.