COmpeting and COmplementary MObility solutions in urban contexts (CoCoMo)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leeds
Department Name: Institute for Transport Studies
Abstract
Shared micro-mobility options are entering European cities, although at different rates. While the first insights about usage patterns, sustainability outcomes and equity effects start to accumulate, there is an emerging need for cities to develop a strategic view on the deployment of these new mobility options: How can shared micro mobility (SMM) options best be combined with existing transport systems to increase accessibility for all and add to sustainable transportation solutions? In this context, COCOMO aims to provide insights into:
1. How SMM are combined with existing travel modes within trips and longer term travel patterns and what implications this has for sustainability (VMT and greenhouse gas emissions);
2. How SMM interact with existing forms of travel in public space and how this impacts on the attractiveness and accessibility of these modes;
3. How travel implications of (see 1.), and access to SMM mobilities (see 2.) differ between geographical contexts and socio-economic groups, and what impacts this has on equity and inclusion.
Based on these insights, COCOMO engages in co-creation with users and stakeholders in order to develop design and planning guidelines for sustainable and inclusive implementation of shared micro mobilities.
1. How SMM are combined with existing travel modes within trips and longer term travel patterns and what implications this has for sustainability (VMT and greenhouse gas emissions);
2. How SMM interact with existing forms of travel in public space and how this impacts on the attractiveness and accessibility of these modes;
3. How travel implications of (see 1.), and access to SMM mobilities (see 2.) differ between geographical contexts and socio-economic groups, and what impacts this has on equity and inclusion.
Based on these insights, COCOMO engages in co-creation with users and stakeholders in order to develop design and planning guidelines for sustainable and inclusive implementation of shared micro mobilities.
Publications
An Z
(2023)
Stereotypes and the public acceptability of shared micromobility
in Travel Behaviour and Society
| Description | Shared micromobility, that is shared bicycles and shared e-scooters, have been appearing in towns and cities across the world in recent years. It is hoped that they can contribute to improving sustainability, equity and social inclusion in urban mobility. They could do this by providing low carbon, low pollution, and affordable travel. Shared micro-mobility can be used for making single journeys, or allowing people to get to and from public transport. Yet there are many questions about whether, or a what circumstances, shared bicycles or shared e-scooters fulfil this ambition. There are also concerns about disbenefits of some shared bicycles or shared e-scooter schemes, such as safety, conflict with pedestrians and spatial inequalities in availability of the schemes. The CoCoMo project investigates whether or how shared bicycles or shared e-scooter schemes can be designed, or re-designed, so that they contribute to sustainability and accessibility. We have conducted research in Greater Manchester, Utrecht and Malmö, each of which has very different provision of shared micro-mobility. By investigating these three European areas, we have opportunity to understand how different factors influence social inclusion, equity and environmental sustainability. We used a questionnaire to ask people their opinions of shared micromobility services and whether or not they use these services. We also explored what provision for walking, cycling and shared micro-mobility helps meet travel needs, and whether or how public space can be safely shared between different users. To do this we used in-depth interviews in which we accompanied people on trips on foot, on shared bike and on e-scooters. We are now conducting participatory workshops with members of the public, asking them to consider options and priorities for shared micro-mobility in their cities. The workshop participants consider the research evidence we have gathered, along with research from other projects. They use this to consider priorities for regulation, organisation, subsidy, and use of shared and public space as they relate to shared bicycles and shared e-scooters. Our early findings indicate that there is a difference in acceptability of shared-e-scooters and shared bicycles. Shared bicycles have higher acceptability than shared e-scooters in each of the areas we studied. Yet the level of acceptability for both shared bicycles and shared e-scooters is also different in each area. Shared e-scooters are considered most acceptable in Greater Manchester and least acceptable in Malmö. This is interesting as they are far more widespread in Malmö. Shared bicycles are also most acceptable in Greater Manchester, but the variation in acceptability between the three areas is much less for shared bicycles than for shared e-scooters. Our research is ongoing. In addition to contributing to knowledge about sustainability and inclusion in urban mobility, we anticipate our findings will be useful to transport planners and service providers, and to the public interested in participating in transport planning for their towns and cities. |
| Exploitation Route | In addition to contributing to knowledge about sustainability and inclusion in urban mobility, we anticipate our findings will be useful to transport planners and service providers, and to the public interested in participating in transport planning for their towns and cities. |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy Energy Environment Government Democracy and Justice Transport |
| Description | Fair Energy Futures |
| Organisation | University of Leeds |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The Network brings together researchers from across Leeds University working on energy systems, sustainability and fairness broadly conceived. It reaches out to, and involves, practitioners and policy-makers from NGOs, public sector and private sector. The purpose is to encourage and facilitate impactful, inter-disciplinary research I am a member of the Steering Committee. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Setting up the network, including scoping disciplines and research areas involved. Publicity and developing membership. Organisation of three workshops, of which two have occurred and one is happening in late March 2023. Facilitation of |
| Impact | Two workshops to date. One with academics from across the University, and one with Transport for the North, and also involving academics from York University. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Department for Transport visit to Institute for Transport Studies |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation of CoCoMo project and emerging findings to Department for Transport at their visit to Institute for Transport Studies in May 2023 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Invited speaker at launch event for "Insights into the transition towards sustainable urban mobility" |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Invited speaker at launch event for "Insights into the transition towards sustainable urban mobility" DynaMo-Mobility-Energy-Dynamics (DynaMo) research group, Universities Munster and Stuttgart, 28th April 2022. Please note this drew on CoCoMo and my other research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Invited speaker webinar 'The road to zero carbon post COP26 - where do we go next?' |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | 'Inclusive transitions to low carbon mobility' presentation and panellist at webinar 'The road to zero carbon post COP26 - where do we go next?' Organised by Landor Links/Systra (media). Please note this was informed by CoCoMo and my other research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.transportxtra.com/tx-events/2617/the-road-to-zero-carbon-post-cop26-where-do-we-go-next- |
| Description | MSc lecturing and dissertation supervision |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | CoCoMo methodologies and emerging findings are informing teaching on MSc programmes at the Institute for Transport Studies, and the MSc Sustainable Cities which is a faculty wide programme hosted by the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Leeds. We have also supervised/ are supervising 5 MSc Dissertations on bike sharing - 3 in academic year 2022-23, and another three also on bike sharing in academic year 2022-23. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2023,2024 |
| Description | Mobility Justice and low-carbon transitions |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Invited presentation to a workshop organised by Westminster University and for an audience of practitioners, planners and academics. Please note the presentation draws on my research from across projects on sustainable mobility and mobility justice. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Sustainable Travel Steering Group at Leeds University |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The Sustainable Travel Steering Group is responsible for delivering the sustainable travel commitments in our Climate Plan. In order to achieve our targets we will need to work closely with the wider city and consider how we can support our staff and students to adopt more sustainable, low emission transport whilst balancing our commitments to deliver academic excellence and a just transition. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023,2024 |