An analysis of university employee car-sharers in Los Angeles

This paper analyzes personal and car-sharing characteristics of commuters at university in Los Angeles, California. These commuters do not hold an on-campus parking permit and commute by an alternative mode other than driving alone. Each month, the university offers them 8 h free use of shared vehicles across the campus. University employee car-sharers’ housing distribution is significantly different from that of their counterparts who drive to work. Commuter benefits influence not only the participation rate of a car-sharing program but also the program participants’ frequency, time and quantity of car-sharing consumption. Car-sharing is most popular among bus commuters, university students and female employees.

► Universities can be a niche market for carsharing.
► University employee carsharers’ housing distribution is distinct.
► Commuter benefits influence carsharing frequency, time and quantity.
► Carsharing is most popular among bus commuters and female employees.