Encouraging carpooling and ride-sharing: the benefits of carpooling and ride-sharing initiatives, which can reduce the number of vehicles on the road and alleviate traffic congestion, as well as lower carbon emissions

Carpooling facilitates shared trips to common destinations and can take various forms, such as real-time and informal arrangements. It reduces the number of vehicles needed for travel, resulting in several societal benefits, including lower energy consumption and emissions, reduced congestion, and decreased demand for parking facilities. Recent advancements in technology, along with economic, environmental, and societal considerations, have encouraged the adoption of shared and pooled services. Shared mobility is transforming commuting habits and is influenced by the increasing popularity of shared mobility services and significant demographic shifts, such as an aging population and the entry of Millennials into the workforce. This article examines the environmental advantages of ride-sharing, specifically its potential to reduce CO۲ emissions. By increasing vehicle occupancy and significantly reducing the number of cars on the road, ride-sharing is expected to have a substantial impact on CO۲ reduction. However, it is important to consider the long-term implications. While ride-sharing initially reduces travel expenses and journey times by alleviating traffic congestion, it may ultimately make private cars more appealing. This could result in short-term mode switching from active transportation modes like public transit to driving, as well as increased travel distances in the medium term. Additionally, improved transportation conditions resulting from ride-sharing could lead to long-term relocations within metropolitan areas. This article explores the benefits of carpooling and ride-sharing and their positive impact on communities. Furthermore, it highlights the potential of carpooling in Iran, where the preference for private cars or taxis over public transportation is prevalent. The author believes that this project can be successful in the country by capitalizing on the existing transportation preferences of the population.

کلیدواژه ها:

Carpooling ، Ride-sharing ، Shared mobility ، CO۲ emissions