because of the lack of alternative modes of transportation and the potentially
larger distance that users must travel to reach the cars.
Car sharing is often promoted as an alternative to owning a car where public
transit, walking, and bicycling can be used most of the time and a car is only
necessary for out-of-town trips, moving large items, or special occasions. It can
also be an alternative to owning multiple cars for households with more than one
driver.
Car sharing differs from traditional car rentals in the following ways:
■ Car sharing is not limited by office hours—reservations, pickups, and
returns are all self-service and available through smartphones.
■ Vehicles can be rented by the hour as well as by the day.
■ Vehicle locations are distributed throughout the service area and are often
located by public transport for easy access.
■ Car sharing helps reduce congestion and the resulting air pollution.
■ The insurance and fuel costs for car sharing are included in the rates.
Recent studies have found that 30% of households that participated in car
sharing either sold a car, delayed purchasing one, or made wider use of public
transit, bicycling, or walking. However, studies have also shown that car sharing
is generally not cost-effective for commuting to a full-time job on a regular
basis.
Light Rail
Light rail consists of trains that share space with road traffic and trains that have
their own right-of-way and are separated from road traffic.
PROS (COMPARED TO BUSES)
■ More comfortable ride.
■ Higher passenger capacity per lane per hour.
■ Lower operating costs per passenger.
■ Lower noise, both inside and outside.
■ The energy source is remote from the vehicle, allowing for more efficient
pollution control methods.
■ Seen as a positive benefit to many areas (e.g., part of urban renewal,
increases property values, etc.).