What is ridesharing?
Ridesharing is as the name implies, the sharing of rides in a vehicle with a similar destination or route. Dynamic ridesourcing is another term used; it means the use of a medium to connect rides together "on-the-fly", which otherwise would be difficult because of communications or flexibility issues. Transportation Network Companies is the industry name for services like UberX, Lyft, and Sidecar. These services use an online platform through a smartphone app to connect available drivers and riders needing rides nearby. They are often compared to traditional taxi services and vehicle-for-hire services.
For the sake of clarity, the term "rideshare" or "ridesharing" is used for the purposes of conducting this study.
For the sake of clarity, the term "rideshare" or "ridesharing" is used for the purposes of conducting this study.
What's the purpose of this study? Why study this?
The purpose of this study is to gather preliminary findings as to why people use ridesharing services like UberX, Lyft, or Sidecar. Since these services launched in 2012, these services have been expanding rapidly in urban areas across the United States. The rapid rise of usage suggests that these services may be complementing, supplementing, or replacing the modes of travel people use to travel throughout cities. The study's preliminary findings will give more information to policymakers and planners to plan for the future of urban areas.
How are we studying rideshare?
This study uses methods adapted from a 2014 UC Berkeley Transportation Center study conducted in San Francisco, CA. The method of this study is to intercept people on streets with active daytime and nighttime pedestrian foot traffic. The intercepted pedestrians are given a survey to complete. The survey asks questions about attitudes and behavior regarding ridesharing services.
When and where is the study being conducted?
This survey methodology of this study is being conducted over two weekends during May 2015. Survey volunteers are administering it on:
May 8, 2015 and May 9, 2015: Downtown Los Angeles, CA
May 15, 2015 and May 16, 2015: Hollywood, CA
May 8, 2015 and May 9, 2015: Downtown Los Angeles, CA
May 15, 2015 and May 16, 2015: Hollywood, CA
Who is conducting this study?
The principle investigator for this study is Danny Thai. He is an undergraduate Urban and Regional Planning student at Cal Poly Pomona. This study is not affiliated with the Uber, Lyft, Sidecar or the City of Los Angeles.
Survey volunteers are being recruited for help administering the survey to pedestrians.
The study was designed and conducted with faculty advising from Dr. Courtney Knapp and Dr. Alvaro Huerta.
Survey volunteers are being recruited for help administering the survey to pedestrians.
The study was designed and conducted with faculty advising from Dr. Courtney Knapp and Dr. Alvaro Huerta.