Shared scooter integration in multimodal networks: A time-cost accessibility analysis

Abstract

Shared scooters come to the urban environment with many optimistic promises and challenges regarding sustainability. In this work, we evaluate their impact on accessibility when used as a stand-alone mode or as a first–last–mode of public transportation, focusing on the inequalities that may arise across different socio-economic groups. Using real-world data from Austin, TX, and a cumulative opportunities approach, we analyzed different scenarios to explore the improvements in accessibility that shared scooters can bring about, considering travel time and budget. The overall view is that shared scooters can only improve accessibility if used as an access or egress mode to public transportation. In addition, the results show that this enhancement in accessibility doubles if the use of scooters to access public transport is fully subsidized. Considering the different types of activities and socio-economic segments, the analysis reveals that the accessibility enhancement is homogeneous. These findings suggest that subsidizing shared scooters can be an efficient way of increasing accessibility and equity, and we estimated the average yearly cost of subsidizing shared scooters for disadvantaged groups to be around $1.14 million. Nevertheless, suitable subsidizing schemes should be designed considering public transportation supply and urban structure in the different areas of the city. This would allow us to avoid positive discrimination and ensure that public resources are allocated to trips that cover mobility needs that the current transport systems cannot fulfill.