Generalized Costs of Travel by Solo and Pooled Ridesourcing vs. Privately Owned Vehicles, and Policy Implications

The emergence of “3 Revolutions” in transportation (automation, electrification and shared mobility) presents a range of questions regarding how consumers will travel in the future, and under what conditions there may be rapid adoption of various services. These include individual on-demand taxi-style services, shared mobility in pooled services, and use of public transit, all with or without drivers. There is now enough data and estimates on the costs of these service combinations, and in some cases ridership data, to consider how consumers are making choices and could do so in the future as things evolve. This project involved: (a) reviewing existing literature and data on consumer mode and vehicle choice; (b) developing new “generalized cost” estimates that combine monetary and non-monetary (e.g., hedonic) components of travel choice, notably incorporating value of time; and (c) conducting a comparison of monetary and generalized trip cost for a range of trip types across travel options in the near term (2020) and longer term (2030-35). Three main travel options were considered: privately owned vehicles, ridesourced solo trips, and ridesourced pooled trips. Consideration of internal combustion vs. battery electric and, in the longer term, automated technology was also core to the analysis. The trips considered include urban and suburban types in the San Francisco metro area, using actual trip characteristics. The results suggest that in the near-term, solo ridesourcing is likely to be perceived as significantly more expensive (in terms of monetary and time costs) than pooled ridesourcing or solo private vehicle trips except for those with a very high value of time. Solo ridesourcing does better in dense, slow, urban trips than in faster suburban trips. In the longer term, with automated driverless vehicles, solo ridesourcing could become the cheapest mode for many travelers in a range of situations. This report includes an initial consideration of the implications of these policies for affecting travel choices, presumably to push choices toward pooled ridesourcing as a sustainable option. VMT-based pricing, pricing that could be adjusted with vehicle occupancy, and parking-related approaches are described. A large price signal might be needed to shift travel, given some of the differences in generalized cost found in this analysis

Comparative energy and economic performance analysis of an electrochromic window and automated external venetian blind

Abstract A virtual test cell representing a portion of an office building was modeled in order to evaluate the energy balance and the economic convenience related to the use, as solar control devices, of a switchable electrochromic glazing system (EG) and of an automated external venetian blind system (VB). Furthermore, results were compared with a so-called base case (BC) of the glazed component, with no exterior solar shading. The virtual test cell is supposed located in Milan, Italy. The operation of both shading systems was set in order to minimize undesirable solar heat gains during cooling season and to maximize them during heating season and also in order to optimize the daylighting performance without having glare effect on the work plane. The energy balance of the selected systems was done considering the annual primary energy consumption for heating, cooling, lighting, shading system operation and the glazed systems' embodied energy annual quota. Finally, a further comparison in terms of economic convenience was done. Simulations were performed using EnergyPlus 7.0 dynamic simulation engine in conjunction with BESTenergy Graphic User Interface

Renovation of an UNESCO Heritage Settlement in Southern Italy: ASHP and BIPV for a "Spread Hotel" Project☆

Abstract Many small historical settlements in Mediterranean areas have a great value in terms of architectural and cultural heritage. Therefore it happens that the socio–economic situation of many of these settlements is backward and depressed. A succesful way to develop these important environments is to implement tourism, a profitable and available economical resource. "Spread Hotel" or "Diffuse Hotel" or "Albergo Diffuso" is an innovative concept which aims to renovate decayed buildings situated in historical locations. New economical inputs are needed to revitalize these settlements and their social tissue. "Diffuse Hotel" concept is very diffused in Italy due to its rich historical heritage. The present paper displays a renovation project of a rural historical settlement into a "Spread Hotel". The site under analysis is located in Palazzolo Acreide, Sicily, Italy. The settlement strongly needed to be refurbished in order to provide habitability and to guarantee a proper level of comfort according to italian standards. The area is also listed in the UNESCO Heritage. The "Diffuse Hotel" at a national level is considered as an affordable and comfortable concept that enables the travellers to experiance Italy through a tipical, historical and comfortable hotel. The historical built enviroment preservation is strategic in Italy and can strongly support economical revitalization. European Community supports the development of "Spread Hotels" projects in order to improve economical capacity of depressed areas by financing refurbishment programs. In this contest the authors present how "Palazzolo Acreide" renovation project was done. In particular, the design strategy was to respect the local characteristics, improve thermal performance and HVAC systems and exploting the on site renewable energy. In fact, in the Mediterranean areas solar radiation is a incredible resource to provide energy to the buildings

Investigating the Temporary and Longer-Term Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mobility in California

Caltrans 65A0686 Task Order 059 USDOT Grant 69A3551747114This study investigates how the COVID-19 pandemic has transformed people\u2019s activity-travel patterns, using datasets collected through three waves of surveys in spring 2020, fall 2020, and summer 2021. With this dataset, it was possible to investigate evolving behavioral choices and preferences among respondents at different timepoints: fall 2019 (recollection of the past), spring 2020, fall 2020, summer 2021, and summer 2022 (future expectations). The study highlighted a large shift among California workers from physical commuting to working remotely in 2020, which was followed by a transition towards hybrid work by summer 2021. The shift to remote work and hybrid work varied considerably across population subgroups, and was most popular among higher-income, better-educated individuals, and urban residents. In terms of household vehicle ownership change, those tech-savvy and variety-seeking individuals were more likely to increase or replace household vehicles, while those who are pro-environment and pro-active are less likely to do so. COVID health concerns show concurrent effects of encouraging the adoption of a more pro-active lifestyle during the pandemic, but also leading to an increased desire to own vehicles in the future. Regarding shopping patterns, the number of respondents who shop online at least once per week increased nearly five-fold between fall 2019 and spring 2020, but such magnitude somewhat diminished by fall 2020. In general, the pandemic has generated a mix of short-lived temporary changes and potential longer-term impacts. The study provides various strategies to help increase transportation and social equity among various population groups as the communities recover from the pandemic

Investigation of the Monetary and Non-Monetary Attributes Typical of Pooled Ridehailing, and their Policy Implications

This dissertation investigates the monetary and “non-monetary” factors that make pooled ridehailing (e.g., UberPOOL) often less attractive than “solo” ridehailing (e.g., traditional UberX) and driving a private car. Under the right circumstances, pooled ridehailing could lead to a reduction in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) while increasing passenger miles traveled (PMT). Assuming that pooled ridehailing is successfully matched, and does not substitute the use of public transit and active modes (e.g., biking and walking) or cause significant deadheading, this service could replace single-passenger travel, via personal cars or solo ridehailing, i.e., means of travel that are associated with worse congestion impacts and negative environmental externalities such as air pollution and health damages.Via computing the total cost of ownership (TCO), using literature-derived and simulated data, I analyze the per-mile monetary cost to travel across pooled ridehailing, solo ridehailing and a personal. I “expand” this TCO by adding the travel time cost (TTC) for traveling as a passenger (defined as “generalized cost”). I also include the effect of “road fees” aimed at mitigating congestion and discouraging low-occupancy travel. The key findings show that although pooled ridehailing is cheaper than its solo counterpart, the cost of the driver causes this service to remain three times higher than driving one’s own car. I found that as battery costs continue to drop over the next decade, electric vehicles (EV) will be cost-competitive with traditional gasoline especially in high-mileage ridehailing applications. However, the good news should not lead authorities to conclude that, as EVs will reduce tailpipe emissions, electrification alone cannot solve all problems, as other negative transportation attributes such as high VMT and road congestion will persist; there is need for more regulations to limit low-occupancy travel. Indeed, this research shows that current road fees do not increase the relative costs of traveling alone (with private cars and solo ridehailing) significantly, with the exception of congestion area fees (such as London’s) that can substantially discourage solo travelling in favor of pooling. Results show that TTCs are sometimes greater in value than the monetary costs. I find that the longer travel time typical of a pooled ride – mainly caused by the detours and walking time to/from the pick-up/drop-off place – may make pooled ridehailing “costlier” than the faster counterpart. In the future, automated vehicles (AV) and the lack of driver cost may dramatically reduce the monetary costs of ridehailing, and, at a small price difference, the travelers may find the TTC of an AV-base solo ridehail less expensive than a pooled AV ride. I investigate other psychological and situational non-monetary factors that influence the choice of pooled ridehailing vs. its solo counterpart, through the analysis of data collected with a rich travel survey in 2019 in California. The results of a mixed logit model confirm that: lower-income people, non-white minorities, women, younger adults, as well as frequent ridehailing users are more likely to pool. Trips that originate in high-density areas are also more likely to be pooled. Whereas, not having to pay for a trip (e.g., a work trip paid by an employer) reduces the likelihood of pooling. Further, I find a positive relationship between the frequent use of public transit and active modes and the likelihood of pooling, which highlights the risk of competition, but in turn may highlight an openness for multi-modal travel. The information collected in this dissertation support the efforts to forecast the demand for pooled ridehailing services and, assuming that this service does not replace the use of public transit and active modes, to understand how this service could eventually contribute to shift travelers away from single-passenger travel. This dissertation improves the understanding of the role of pooled ridehailing with other emerging trends in transportation (i.e., electrification and automation), and helps inform policy making aimed at mitigating congestion and environmental impacts caused by transportation. For example, policymakers such as those involved with the Senate Bill (SB) 1014 in California, which introduced the need for “Clean Miles Standards” to limit greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions from ridehailing, would be interested in this work. Increasing the understanding of how to reduce the unattractiveness of pooled ridehailing (and the attractiveness of solo travelling) may help planner move towards greener transportation solutions with which travelers can choose the most efficient mode from a variety of integrated alternatives, and where pooled ridehailing succeeds as a replacement of single-passenger travel if public transit and active modes are not viable options

Estimating the Costs of New Mobility Travel Options: Monetary and Non-Monetary Factors

UC Davis researchers have developed a cost model of travel choices that individuals make related to urban vehicle travel. These choices can include deciding to own, ride in, and drive a private vehicle or use pooled or solo ridesourcing (e.g., Uber). The model considers both monetary and non-monetary factors that affect travel choice. Monetary factors include the costs of purchasing, maintaining, and fueling different types of privately owned vehicles; and the cost of using ridesourcing services. Non-monetary (or “hedonic”) factors include travel time, parking time/inconvenience, willingness to drive or be a passenger in a driven or automated vehicle, and willingness to travel with strangers. The travel choices affected by these factors impact broader society through traffic congestion, pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, accidents, etc. and thus may be an important focus of policy. This report reviews recent literature, considers factors affecting travel choices, and reports, on a conjoint pilot survey or stated preferences. Finally, it considers approaches to apply time value to factors that are not typically associated with specific trips, such as time spent on vehicle maintenance and parking. The results should enable a deeper understanding of the likelihood that individuals will own and use private vehicles or use shared (solo and pooled) ridesourcing, and how automated vehicle services could affect these choices in the future. The study also highlights additional research needs, such as a large scale stated preference study covering more factors than have been included in previous studies.View the NCST Project Webpag

Generalized Costs of Travel by Solo and Pooled Ridesourcing vs. Privately Owned Vehicles, and Policy Implications

The emergence of “3 Revolutions” in transportation (automation, electrification and shared mobility) presents a range of questions regarding how consumers will travel in the future, and under what conditions there may be rapid adoption of various services. These include individual on-demand taxi-style services, shared mobility in pooled services, and use of public transit, all with or without drivers. There is now enough data and estimates on the costs of these service combinations, and in some cases ridership data, to consider how consumers are making choices and could do so in the future as things evolve. This project involved: (a) reviewing existing literature and data on consumer mode and vehicle choice; (b) developing new “generalized cost” estimates that combine monetary and non-monetary (e.g., hedonic) components of travel choice, notably incorporating value of time; and (c) conducting a comparison of monetary and generalized trip cost for a range of trip types across travel options in the near term (2020) and longer term (2030-35). Three main travel options were considered: privately owned vehicles, ridesourced solo trips, and ridesourced pooled trips. Consideration of internal combustion vs. battery electric and, in the longer term, automated technology was also core to the analysis. The trips considered include urban and suburban types in the San Francisco metro area, using actual trip characteristics. The results suggest that in the near-term, solo ridesourcing is likely to be perceived as significantly more expensive (in terms of monetary and time costs) than pooled ridesourcing or solo private vehicle trips except for those with a very high value of time. Solo ridesourcing does better in dense, slow, urban trips than in faster suburban trips. In the longer term, with automated driverless vehicles, solo ridesourcing could become the cheapest mode for many travelers in a range of situations. This report includes an initial consideration of the implications of these policies for affecting travel choices, presumably to push choices toward pooled ridesourcing as a sustainable option. VMT-based pricing, pricing that could be adjusted with vehicle occupancy, and parking-related approaches are described. A large price signal might be needed to shift travel, given some of the differences in generalized cost found in this analysis

Investigating the Temporary and Longer-term Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mobility in California

This study investigates how the COVID-19 pandemic has transformed people’s activity-travel patterns, using datasets collected through three waves of surveys in spring 2020, fall 2020, and summer 2021. With this dataset, it was possible to investigate evolving behavioral choices and preferences among respondents at different timepoints: fall 2019 (recollection of the past), spring 2020, fall 2020, summer 2021, and summer 2022 (future expectations). The study highlighted a large shift among California workers from physical commuting to working remotely in 2020, which was followed by a transition towards hybrid work by summer 2021. The shift to remote work and hybrid work varied considerably across population subgroups, and was most popular among higher-income, better-educated individuals, and urban residents. In terms of household vehicle ownership change, those tech-savvy and variety-seeking individuals were more likely to increase or replace household vehicles, while those who are pro-environment and pro-active are less likely to do so. COVID health concerns show concurrent effects of encouraging the adoption of a more pro-active lifestyle during the pandemic, but also leading to an increased desire to own vehicles in the future. Regarding shopping patterns, the number of respondents who shop online at least once per week increased nearly five-fold between fall 2019 and spring 2020, but such magnitude somewhat diminished by fall 2020. In general, the pandemic has generated a mix of short-lived temporary changes and potential longer-term impacts. The study provides various strategies to help increase transportation and social equity among various population groups as the communities recover from the pandemic. View the NCST Project Webpag