Understanding carsharing patterns for effective TDM policymaking : a study of municipalities in Metro Vancouver

In the context of global climate change and the subsequent need for evolving mobility and smart transit patterns, carsharing (CS) has established itself as a method of individual transportation more sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective than personal automobile ownership. As such, cities worldwide are implementing a variety of policies intended to encourage CS access and utilization with the goal of improving urban planning and human health through transportation demand management (TDM) strategies. Among many potential TDM policies, municipalities have used sticks and carrots to engage developers in TDM through parking requirements and offsets when CS is provided. Many variants of these policies have been implemented throughout Metro Vancouver (MV) municipalities. This thesis provides an overview of the policies adopted by key MV municipalities and establishes a deeper understanding of CS utilization and membership patterns as exhibited through behavioural and policy-driven perspectives. Through two complementary studies, this research 1) identifies and substantiates CS membership and usage patterns as they relate to CS vehicle visibility and proximity to current and prospective members and 2) surveys which policy levers and marketing initiatives present throughout the Metro Vancouver region are effective at incentivizing widespread CS provisioning and use in concurrence with Metro 2040 sustainability goals. Findings were analyzed to formulate a set of best practices guidelines informing thoughtful TDM policymaking for sustainability-focused cities worldwide.Science, Faculty ofResources, Environment and Sustainability (IRES), Institute forGraduat