Introducing a carsharing service in a tourist area can effectively improve the transport infrastructure and increase access to sustainable mobility. But before going forward, it is important to consider some key elements that could influence this decision. This article summarizes seven factors that should be considered when introducing a carsharing service in a tourist or resort area.
1. Driver Behavior
One of the most important factors to consider when introducing a carsharing service like Avail in a tourist area is driver behavior. In general, drivers in tourist areas tend to exhibit more reckless driving behaviors, such as speeding and running red lights, than drivers in other areas. This can increase the risk of accidents and injuries. It is important to factor this into your decision when planning the introduction of a carsharing service in a tourist area and to take steps to ensure that drivers are aware of the risks and follow safe driving practices.
2. Vehicle Usage
Another important factor to consider when introducing a carsharing service in a tourist area is how the vehicles will be used. In some cases, vehicles may be used more intensively than in other areas. This will be particularly true if rental rates are higher than the average for the area, so it is important to consider how this might impact fleet size and vehicle usage levels.
3. Car Parking
A tourist area may have fewer on-street car parking spaces per square meter of land available compared to other areas. This will affect the availability of free or low-cost car parking spots that can encourage drivers to switch from their cars to carsharing vehicles. It is important to factor this into your plans when introducing a carsharing service in a tourist area by either improving the amount of off-street parking spaces or providing an incentives scheme for sharing cars.
4. Tourism Strategy
Suppose the tourist area has a specific tourism strategy, such as eco-tourism or cultural tourism. In that case, it is important to ensure that the introduction of a carsharing service supports this strategy. For example, if the objective is to reduce carbon emissions from transport, introducing a carsharing service that encourages drivers to switch from their cars to shared vehicles would be beneficial.
5. Seasonality
The level of seasonality in a tourist area can also impact the success of a carsharing service. In areas with high levels of seasonality, there may be large fluctuations in demand for carsharing services over the year. This can make it difficult to manage fleet size and vehicle usage levels appropriately. It is important to factor this into your decision when introducing a carsharing service in a tourist area by ensuring that the system is robust enough to deal with fluctuations in demand.
6. User Profile
Tourist areas may attract users who want access to cars at very short notice (e.g., for impromptu trips) and are unwilling to make reservations in advance. Therefore, it is important to consider how introducing a carsharing service will affect these types of user behavior and whether or not they will need additional incentives or support from the operator before switching from their vehicle to an on-demand shared vehicle.
7. Car Ownership Rates
In many cases, tourist areas will have lower car ownership rates than other population centers, which means that the demand for carsharing services may also be lower. This can make it difficult to justify investing significant resources into a carsharing service. There will be less demand and smaller potential savings than in an area with higher levels of car ownership.
Careful planning and consideration of the factors discussed above can help to ensure a successful carsharing introduction in a tourist area.
