Description:

ABSTRACT:

In recent years, shared e-scooters have rapidly gained popularity as a convenient mode for short-distance trips. Ensuring their successful and sustainable integration into urban mobility systems requires a comprehensive, multi-faceted analysis of their impact on both users and the transportation network. In this seminar we try to examine essential aspects of e-scooter use: (1) how individuals adopt e-scooters as a service, (2) whether current users continue using them, (3) what factors determine user satisfaction, (4) how services are distributed across regions from an equity perspective, (5) the extent to which e-scooters complement existing modes, particularly public transit, and (6) how to characterize traffic safety concerns for users. Analyzing these aspects provides critical insights for promoting the sustainable use of shared e-scooter systems.
To address these questions, we designed and implemented a three-phase survey of shared e-scooter users in Chicago. The first phase (June 2021, ~500 participants) examined early adoption patterns, combining socio-demographic data, travel preferences, and residential locations. The findings showed that younger adults and residents in households without a car were more likely adopters. The second phase (Nov–Dec 2020, 2,000+ users) modeled continued usage intentions, accounting for usefulness, reliability, social influence, and enjoyment factors. The third phase (2024, 420 users) focused on satisfaction and safety. Nearly 47% reported at least one fall or collision highlighting alarming safety issues. Analysis identified key factors contributing to risky riding behavior among users. Moreover, the satisfaction analysis underscored that safety and security are critical to both user satisfaction and long-term adoption.
 
Short Bio:

Dr. Kouros Mohammadian is a Distinguished Professor and Head of Civil, Materials, and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois Chicago. His research has covered various areas of transportation planning including travel behavior analysis, modeling of activity and travel patterns, travel surveys, computational analysis of transportation systems, agent-based microsimulation models, and freight and logistics modeling. He has advised 26 completed PhD dissertations. Kouros is co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Transportation Letters and an associate editor of Transportation Research Records. He served as the former chair of the Traveler Behavior committee of TRB, and currently serves as a board member of Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP).