Shared Mobility

Navigating the Gig Economy: Transportation Labor Challenges Facing California’s App-based Ridehailing and Courier Drivers

Susan Shaheen
Wolfe, Brooke
Adam Cohen
2026

Given the dynamic landscape surrounding the classification of workers in California, it is important to consider how the existing legal and regulatory environment may impact app-based gig drivers, including transportation network companies (TNCs, also known as ridehailing) and courier network services (CNS). Using a multi-method approach, we conducted a literature review (n = 41 sources), expert interviews (n = 8), and case study analysis (n = 7) between October 2022 to May 2024 to better understand how California’s gig drivers are impacted by state legislation and regulation (i.e.,...

From Taxis to Ridehailing: Examining Gender Issues for Female Drivers and Passengers [Brief]

Susan Shaheen
Adam Cohen
Wolfe, Brooke
Champlin, Jacob
2024

This report analyzes gender issues for female drivers and passengers of transportation network companies (TNCs) and taxis. Between August 2023 and May 2024, the researchers conducted driver and rider focus groups (n=8 drivers and n=8 passengers); a driver survey (n=170); a TNC user/non-user survey (n=440, including n=217/440 taxi non-users, n=7/440 TNC non-users, and a subset of n=5/440 nonusers of TNCs and taxis); and expert interviews (n=13). This research finds that both female drivers and passengers experience an array of safety concerns and challenges traveling with young children in...

From Taxis to Ridehailing: Examining Gender Issues for Female Drivers and Passengers

Susan Shaheen
Adam Cohen
Wolfe, Brooke
Champlin, Jacob
2024

This report analyzes gender issues for female drivers and passengers of transportation network companies (TNCs) and taxis. Between August 2023 and May 2024, the researchers conducted driver and rider focus groups (n=8 drivers and n=8 passengers); a driver survey (n=170); a TNC user/non-user survey (n=440, including n=217/440 taxi non-users, n=7/440 TNC non-users, and a subset of n=5/440 non- users of TNCs and taxis); and expert interviews (n=13). This research finds that both female drivers and passengers experience an array of safety concerns and challenges traveling with young children...

Bike Lending in North America: Understanding Business Models, User Acceptance, Social Equity, and Public Safety

Susan Shaheen
Schmidt, Brooke
Adam Cohen
2024

Bike lending allows participants to borrow a bike similar to borrowing a book from a library. However, there is a lack of documented literature on this strategy. This research attempts to understand and characterize the existence of bike lending programs in North America through a literature review, census of bike lending programs (n=55), expert interviews (n=24), a survey of bike lending operators (n=31), and two focus groups with bike lending participants (n=12) conducted between January 2024 through April 2024. The census identified and characterized bike lending programs in North...

Accommodating Peer-to-Peer Carsharing at Airports: A Guide

Mandle, Peter
Choi, Ernest
DiCamillo, Rhona
Allison, Melissa
Marshall, Christina
Susan Shaheen
Adam Cohen
2024

Airports are vital national resources. They serve a key role in transportation of people and goods and in regional, national, and international commerce. They are where the nation’s aviation system connects with other modes of transportation and where federal responsibility for managing and regulating air traffic operations intersects with the role of state and local governments that own and operate most airports. Research is necessary to solve common operating problems, to adapt appropriate new technologies from other industries, and to introduce innovations into the airport industry. The...

Synthesis Report: Findings and Lessons Learned from the Independent Evaluation of the Mobility on Demand (MOD) Sandbox Demonstrations

Adam Cohen
Martin, Elliot
Susan Shaheen
Brown, Les
2023

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Mobility on Demand (MOD) Sandbox effort developed around a vision of a multimodal, integrated, automated, accessible, and connected transportation system in which personalized mobility is a key feature. FTA selected 11 MOD Sandbox demonstration projects that tested strategies intended to advance the MOD vision. An independent evaluation (IE) is required by federal public transportation law 49 U.S.C. § 5312(e)(4) for demonstration projects receiving FTA Public Transportation Innovation funding. This report provides a synthesis of findings from the 11...

Mobility on Demand (MOD) Sandbox Demonstration: Pierce Transit Limited Access Connections, Evaluation Report

Brown, Les
Martin, Elliot
Adam Cohen
Gangarde, Siddharth
Davis, Garett
Susan Shaheen
2022

This report presents the results of an independent evaluation of the Pierce Transit Limited Access Connections Demonstration project, part of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Mobility on Demand (MOD) Sandbox program. In this MOD Sandbox project, Pierce County Public Transportation Benefit Area Corporation (Pierce Transit), in partnership with Sound Transit and Lyft, implemented a first/last-mile system to provide access to rail stations and other destinations of interest within the Tacoma, Washington, metropolitan region. The one-year demonstration period began May 2018 and was...

Managing the Curb: Understanding the Impacts of On-Demand Mobility on Public Transit, Micromobility, and Pedestrians

Susan Shaheen
Martin, Elliot
Adam Cohen
Broader, Jacquelyn
Davis, Richard
2026

In recent years, innovative mobility and shifts in travel and consumption behavior are changing how people access and use the curb. Shared mobility—the shared use of a vehicle, bicycle, scooter, or other mode—coupled with outdoor dining, curbside pick-up, and robotic delivery are creating new needs related to the planning, management, and enforcement of curb access. This study examines curb planning and management from several angles, such as safety, social equity, and multimodal connections. This research employs a multi-method approach to identify the changing needs for curb space...

Mobility on Demand (MOD) Sandbox Demonstration: Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) Public-Private-Partnership for Paratransit, Evaluation Report

Martin, Elliot
Yassine, Ziad
Adam Cohen
Susan Shaheen
2022

This report presents the results of an independent evaluation of the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) Public-Private-Partnership for Paratransit Demonstration project, part of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Mobility on Demand (MOD) Sandbox program. PSTA currently spends around 10% of its operating budget to provide service to over 12,500 eligible customers of its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-mandated paratransit service, performing over 275,000 annual paratransit trips through its Demand Response Transportation (DART) Program. DART’s lack of flexibility and...

Mobility on Demand and Automated Driving Systems: A Framework for Public-Sector Assessment 2022

Susan Shaheen
Adam Cohen
Broader, Jacquelyn
Hoban, Sarah
Auer, Ashley
Cordahi, Gustave
Kimmel, Shawn
2022

Innovative and emerging mobility services offer travelers more options to increase mobility and access goods and services.