New Insights into How Micromobility Services Affect Vehicle Miles Traveled

Micromobility services are often considered a good option for reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and related greenhouse gas emissions. An expected benefit of using micromobility services assumes that some trips replace personal car use and ride-hailing. Micromobility has the potential to change more than mode choice by restructuring routine daily travel. However, quantifying metrics to monitor the impact of micromobility services on travel behavior change beyond trip-level mode substitution is a challenge.

In this webinar, researchers will share results of a study based on a smartphone travel diary of micromobility users in 48 cities in the US. The researchers will share modeling results that examine factors influencing mode substitution of micromobility trips and person-level daily VMT. They will also present a conceptual framework for how to integrate the findings into a tool for cities to use to estimate potential VMT reduction from micromobility services.