This master's thesis aims to examine the key drivers of development in the car sharing industry in order to derive possible effects on sustainable urban mobility. The resulting conclusions provide information about areas in which the various car sharing stakeholders must take action and which processes should be restructured if necessary. In addition, it is examined whether positive or negative effects of car sharing on public transport can already be identified. Based on the research location selected for this study, the possibilities and obstacles with which the concept of car sharing can be integrated into public transport will also be examined.
At the beginning of this paper, the reader is introduced to the basics of the sharing economy, giving them a basic understanding of the further course of the study. In order to delve deeper into the topic, the origin of the sharing economy will be determined, and its relevance in the socio-economic environment demonstrated. The motives of the members of sharing services will be outlined. Since technological progress and electric mobility are the decisive drivers for the change in consumer behaviour, these areas will be discussed. The focus of this master's thesis lies on commercial car sharing, which is therefore covered in more detail than private car sharing. It will be clarified how the sharing mobility has developed in recent years and what motives, under consideration of economic and ecological aspects, have led consumers to use it to an ever-increasing extent. Besides, the advantages and disadvantages from the customer's point of view are worked out in order to examine whether reasons for the enormous market growth can already be deduced from this. Based on the preceding qualitative data collection, conclusions are drawn about the possible effects on urban sustainability, and both opportunities and challenges are elaborated so that approaches for corrective action can be crystallized. With the help of this precise picture of the individual topics, it can be concluded whether car sharing as such contributes to sustainable development in the Federal Republic of Germany and thus generates positive economic and social effects in addition to the positive ecological effects.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 Context and problem definition
1.2 Objectives and methodological approach
2. Initial Situation
2.1 Mobility, traffic and sustainable urban mobility
2.2 Global environmental issues
3. Car Sharing as an Example of Shared Mobility
3.1 The sharing economy
3.2 Definition of car sharing
3.3 Types of car sharing
3.3.1 Stationed-based car sharing
3.3.2 Free-floating car sharing
3.3.3 Peer-to-Peer car sharing
3.4 Car sharing market in Germany
3.5 Relevant providers in Germany
3.6 Motives behind the use of car sharing
3.6.1 Economic motivation
3.6.2 Environmental motivation
3.7 The pros and cons of car sharing
3.8 Practical examples of the sharing economy
4. Combined Mobility – The Interface between Individual and Public Transport
4.1 Public transport in Germany
4.2 Combined mobility as a challenge for future public transport
4.3 The impact of car sharing on public transport
5. The Effects of Car Sharing Systems on Mobility and Environment in Urban Areas
5.1 Car sharing – The fourth pillar of the environmental alliance
5.2 Mobility as a Service
5.3 Electric mobility
5.4 Reduction of traffic congestion through car sharing
6. Research Question and Objectives
7. Methodology
7.1 Research design
7.2 Data gathering method
7.3 Design of the interview guide
7.4 Experts
7.5 Procedure
7.6 Analysis of qualitative data
8. Research Findings
8.1 Introduction of experts
8.2 Section one: Traffic situation
8.2.1 Germany
8.2.2 Traffic changes
8.3 Section two: Car sharing
8.3.1 Existing barriers
8.3.2 Possible incentives
8.3.3 Interfaces and alliances
8.3.4 Support from federal, state and local authorities
8.3.5 Communication measures
8.3.6 Future developments
8.4 Section three: Collective passenger transport
8.4.1 Existing obstacles
8.4.2 Possible incentives
8.4.3 Future developments
8.4.4 Recap
9. Discussion
9.1 Results
9.2 Limitations and recommendations
10. Conclusion
Objectives and Research Themes
The core objective of this master's thesis is to evaluate the role of car sharing as a viable contributor to sustainable urban mobility and to identify the critical success factors and obstacles associated with its integration. The study explores how car sharing can work in tandem with public transport to minimize the need for private vehicle ownership, particularly in densely populated urban environments like Stuttgart.
- Theoretical foundations of the sharing economy and various car sharing models.
- Economic and environmental motivations for adopting car sharing services.
- The interface and potential synergies between public transport and shared mobility options.
- Technical, infrastructural, and regulatory challenges to mainstreaming car sharing.
- Qualitative insights from expert interviews concerning future developments in the German mobility market.
Excerpt from the Thesis
1.1 Context and problem definition
"Sustainability is not just about adopting the latest energy-efficient technologies or turning to renewable sources of power. Sustainability is the responsibility of every individual every day. It is about changing our behaviour and mindset to reduce power and water consumption, thereby helping to control emissions and pollution levels." (Kaeser, 2020).
The Rio de Janeiro Summit 1992, better known as the United Nations Conference of Environment and Development, was a central milestone in the history of sustainable development. The premise of a sustainability concept was to satisfy the needs of the present without risking penalising the needs of future generations. All countries participating in this conference thus committed themselves to make an active contribution to promoting sustainable development (Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung [BMZ], 2020). A significant challenge in this context is the containment of the rapidly increasing CO2 emissions. The transport sector, as a significant source of CO2 emissions, must be given special consideration in this endeavour. Especially in Germany the CO2 emissions caused by the transport sector have more than doubled since the 1960s. Although technical innovations in the automotive industry have reduced emissions per passenger kilometre in recent years, these savings have been largely offset by increasing traffic volumes and the popularity of high-performance, fuel-efficient vehicles (Öko Institut e.V., 2011; Rogall, 2009).
In addition to the pure CO2 problem caused by motorised private transport, a continually growing number of passenger cars raises further problem areas that significantly restrict the population’s quality of life. Particularly conurbations suffer from far-reaching congestion problems. (Glotz-Richter, 2012). In view of the vital goal of long-term sustainable development, and in particular of sustainable mobility, the containment of motorised private transport must be seen as a significant challenge for the current generation as well as for future generations.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Presents the motivation for sustainable mobility, the research problem, and the methodology used to analyze car sharing.
2. Initial Situation: Explores the conceptual definitions of mobility and traffic while highlighting global environmental pressure caused by rising vehicle figures.
3. Car Sharing as an Example of Shared Mobility: Provides a comprehensive overview of the sharing economy, different car sharing typologies (station-based, free-floating, P2P), and their specific pros and cons.
4. Combined Mobility – The Interface between Individual and Public Transport: Examines the synergy between public transport networks and car sharing, emphasizing the need for intermodal connectivity.
5. The Effects of Car Sharing Systems on Mobility and Environment in Urban Areas: Discusses the environmental benefits of car sharing, including electrification and the potential for reduced traffic congestion.
6. Research Question and Objectives: Outlines the core research inquiries driving the empirical investigation, specifically focusing on the German city of Stuttgart.
7. Methodology: Details the qualitative research approach, the selection of experts, the interview process, and the content analysis techniques employed.
8. Research Findings: Reports on the primary themes derived from expert interviews, covering traffic trends, market barriers, and policy implications for shared mobility.
9. Discussion: Critically evaluates the research results against theoretical literature and addresses potential for future growth, including autonomous driving.
10. Conclusion: Synthesizes the main findings and provides recommendations for integrating car sharing into urban planning and public transport policy.
Key Terms
Car sharing, Sustainable mobility, Sharing economy, Public transport, Stuttgart, Urban planning, Mobility as a Service (MaaS), Electric mobility, CO2 emissions, Station-based, Free-floating, Peer-to-Peer, Intermodality, Traffic congestion, Infrastructure
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this thesis?
The thesis focuses on examining the development of the car sharing industry in Germany and its potential contribution to sustainable urban mobility solutions, especially in the context of reducing private car reliance.
What are the key thematic pillars investigated?
The work covers theoretical concepts of the sharing economy, the environmental impact of transport, the integration of car sharing with public transit, and practical barriers to market expansion.
What is the core research question addressed by the author?
The study aims to clarify how car sharing can be optimally integrated into public transport systems in cities like Stuttgart, identify existing obstacles, and determine how to avoid internal cannibalization between mobility providers.
Which methodology did the author use for data collection?
The author employed a qualitative research design, conducting semi-structured expert interviews with representatives from the transport industry, city planners, and academic researchers to gather empirical insights.
What content is analyzed in the main body (theoretical part)?
The theoretical part covers the definitions of car sharing types (station-based, free-floating, P2P), market status in Germany, economic and environmental motivations, and the challenges of intermodal transport.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
The essential keywords include Car sharing, Sustainable mobility, Sharing economy, Public transport, Urban planning, MaaS, and Electric mobility.
How does the author define the relationship between car sharing and public transport?
The author views them as potentially complementary partners, where car sharing fills the gaps in public transport networks, provided that intermodal interfaces are seamless.
What is the significance of the Stuttgart case study within this paper?
Stuttgart serves as a practical testing ground for the research, reflecting industrial regional trends, high automobile density, and specific local initiatives like the Transport Development Concept 2030.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2020, Carsharing for sustainable urban mobility. Possibilities and obstacles of integrating car sharing into public transport, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1253680
