The Sustainability of Shared Mobility in London: The Dilemma for Governance

Abstract

Abstract:The role of governments in the regulation of potentially beneficial low carbon practices, such as car sharing, has proved difficult, as there are many different actors involved and as existing practices can be undermined. The mobility sector provides clear evidence of these dilemmas, as a wide range of users need to be engaged in the discourse over the innovations, and as existing governance structures may be unsuitable for addressing both the opportunities and limitations of innovation. This paper focuses on the sustainability implications of shared mobility and the need for new approaches to governance. A qualitative study of car sharing in London is used to examine the ideas, incentives, and institutions of the key actors involved in this sharing sector. The elements of change and continuity in the emerging sharing economy indicate the different possibilities for enhancing sustainable mobility. Any search for an alternative governance regime should take account of the ideational factors that would require an understanding of the different incentives needed to accommodate the full range of actors involved with the sharing economy.

When Is an Innovative Urban Mobility Business Model Sustainable? A Literature Review and Analysis

“…From a public policy perspective, some authors advocate the favorable role of holistic forms of implementation and the inter-sectorial policies relevance, including the private sector, which ensure sustainable transport infrastructure, seeking the integration of local needs and values that affect policymaking at an institutional level [23][24][25]. Other research highlights the challenge of understanding what incentives are needed to accommodate the full range of actors involved in shared mobility contexts [26]. Additionally, for public policy design, it is also important to contemplate the challenge of integrating transportation planning with social needs-through accessibility, allocation, and planning of public space, and opportunities for social engagement-because the logic of transport planning that has prevailed in the majority of cities favors a model of car dependence, with limited opportunities to develop sustainable initiatives [3,5].…”

Readiness of Indian Consumers Towards the Adoption of Shared Mobility

“…One of the major governance challenges for the sustainability of shared mobility practices and carbon footprints is that it is quite difficult to regulate as there are several actors involved, and they undermine existing practices. The problem lies in the convergence of a large range of users to such innovative changes, and that existing governance frameworks remain mostly unsuitable to address these dilemmas [10]. Some of the core challenges and benefits identified based on the past research studies on shared mobility include vehicle ownership reduction , disrupting mobility and transport systems [11,12]; quantifying potential of taxi ridesharing in terms of taxi rides, savings on travel distance, gas and emissions per week [13]; behavioral, environmental, and social impacts that influence urban planning in terms of transportation & circulation; zoning, land-use, and growth management; urban design; housing; economic development; and environmental policy, conservation, and climate action [14].…”

Technology and Instrument Constituencies as Agents of Innovation: Sustainability Transitions and the Governance of Urban Transport

“…However, the instrument has also been used by actors to promote further socio-technical innovation. Some of these, such as car club coalitions, formed around the idea of car sharing and reduced private vehicle ownership and use [83], thus addressing the original policy objectives of congestion charging. Others such as electric vehicles, however, derived a competitive advantage from an exemption to pay the congestion charge while meeting the objectives of low air pollution but not reducing traffic congestion.…”