World Carshare 2013 - Notes for Short Reports

Carsharing is most unevenly distributed over the world map. There are great extremes, running from countries like Switzerland in which it is universally known and widely practiced, to the situation of most countries on the planet where even the word is not much known.  For this reason our 2013 country profiles have to be ingenious and flexible, one size will not fit all, if we are  to give our readers a feel for the full range of practices and issues. Let's have a look, starting with some "carshare basics".

CARSHARE BASICS

The reader who knows the following "basics" about  the status of carsharing in a wide range of different operating environments will be off to a good start.

I.   Map showing cities with carsharing (also if possible  indicating projects in planning/discussion stage)

II.  Date, place and organizer of first carsharing start-up in country

III.   List of car share operators, identifying them as follows:

• By location (city)


• Operator


• name of service


• date of start-up


• number vehicles  in-service


• parking places/stations


• number signed up users


• initial fee to join


• some indication of cost - trip, hourly, distance, other


• contact person/unit (name. email, other)


• site URL


• anything else that comes to mind

IV.  Projects under discussion (if any)

IV.  Concerned government organizations if any (national, city, other)

- - > Following page invites author  commentary beyond essentials

FOOD FOR THOUGHT, ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY

Some points you may wish to consider and eventually comment if your time and interest permits:

1. Word: What is exact word or phrase used for carsharing in your country?


2. Legal: Is there a legal or generally accepted definition of carsharing?


3. Leader: Who took the initial leadership role to make carsharing a possibility? When?


4. Government: Are there organizations at a national or local level directly concerned with carsharing?


5. NGOs: Any NGOs, user groups, consultants, research groups, private companies showing interest?


6. International agencies or organisations willing to help? How?


7. Mode: In transport planning and policy, is carsharing  treated as a mobility mode in its own right?


8. New Mobility: If there is some carsharing interest, does this reflect similar interest in other New Mobility concepts such as walkability, safe streets,  city cycling, public bikes, ridesharing, taxis, community buses, speed control, E&H transport, barrier free zones, carfree housing, etc.


9. Informal: Any form of informal, private or neighborhood carsharing going on in the country?


10. Car costs: How much does average car owner spent per year to maintain, fuel, garage, ensure etc. their private car? (Are people generally aware of the true cost of ownership?)


11. Fleets: Any interest in carsharing approaches to increase efficiency of government or other fleets.


12. Generation: Any notable difference in the way that younger people look at the concept of owning a car as opposed to their parents?


13. Modal:   Country or operating approach which serves as a role model for carsharing startups?


14. Barriers: What are the major factors  holding back carshare developments in your country?


15. Land use: Is Land use policy being integrated with transport planning and policy?


16. Not ready: Among those who are familiar with the concept is there a shared feeling that you are not yet ready for carsharing? And if not now, when? What preconditions?


17. References: Are there any bibliographic or other references for reports, articles or books available on the topic in your country?

Again, the idea here is not to provide a straitjacket for the author but rather to see if we can lay out the basics which an informed person will be able to deal with in a few hours.

WORLD STREETS REFERENCES & SUPPORTING MATERIALS

Following links are clickable and also to be found on top menu here.

Introduction
Issues and questions
Draft guidelines for contributors
World Carshare Country Reports
Carsharing on World Streets
WCS on Facebook

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