Understanding the accessibility promise of electric carsharing for low-income populations: A BlueLA case study

Project Description

In 2018, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation established BlueLA, an innovative electric carsharing program. By 2022, BlueLA had 40 stations in central Los Angeles offering both standard and community memberships for low-income users. In partnership with Toole Design Group, Lewis Center researchers draw on qualitative data to evaluate whether subsidized carsharing services can effectively narrow the accessibility gaps facing low-income travelers across Los Angeles.

This evaluation project comes out of SCAG’s “Future Communities Initiative” as a part of SCAG’s “Future Communities Pilot Program.” The pilot provided funding and support for the deployment of new and smart technologies, with projects being evaluated for their impact on: VMT reduction, air quality, productivity, program costs and user experience. Findings from the pilot suggest that equitably designed carsharing services can effectively close gaps in transportation access, especially in environments with complementary and robust transportation services.

Status
Ongoing

Funding Source
Southern California Association of Governments

Research Team
Madeline Brozen, Gregory Pierce