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Spatiotemporal dynamics of E-scooter sharing ridership and their associations with the built environment: A Swedish comparative study

Flanagan, Seán LU (2024) In Master Thesis in Geographical Information Science GISM01 20242
Dept of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science
Abstract
E-scooter sharing systems (ESS) have rapidly gained popularity since their introduction in the U.S. in 2017, promoting sustainable urban mobility and offering a new solution to transport systems challenges. However, research on ESS usage in relation to the built environment, particularly in European contexts, is limited, and comparative studies between urban areas of different sizes are not readily available. This study compares Stockholm and Lund to explore how built environment characteristics and demographics influence ESS ridership patterns. Utilizing datasets of 27,915 trips from Lund and 152,035 trips from Stockholm collected in June 2021, the study employs a two-step methodology: spatiotemporal analysis of ESS usage and modelling... (More)
E-scooter sharing systems (ESS) have rapidly gained popularity since their introduction in the U.S. in 2017, promoting sustainable urban mobility and offering a new solution to transport systems challenges. However, research on ESS usage in relation to the built environment, particularly in European contexts, is limited, and comparative studies between urban areas of different sizes are not readily available. This study compares Stockholm and Lund to explore how built environment characteristics and demographics influence ESS ridership patterns. Utilizing datasets of 27,915 trips from Lund and 152,035 trips from Stockholm collected in June 2021, the study employs a two-step methodology: spatiotemporal analysis of ESS usage and modelling relationships using Negative Binomial (NB) regression.

The results reveal that ESS usage in Lund peaks around the university and city center, while in Stockholm, usage is more dispersed. Both cities exhibit a concentration of trips in their central business districts, with peak usage occurring around 3 PM, suggesting that ESS serves purposes beyond traditional commuting. Additionally, there is a positive correlation between ESS usage and higher levels of land-use mix, particularly in areas with a high density of restaurants. The findings also indicate that ESS usage is more prevalent in locations with better access to private motor vehicles and is associated with existing transport modes in certain areas. Despite there being some key differences between the two study areas there was a broad similarity across the two contexts which suggests that ESS if fulfilling a niche role in urban areas of differing scale. The study highlights the potential of ESS to enhance urban mobility and offer an alternative solution to existing and future transport challenges. (Less)
Popular Abstract
E-scooter sharing (ESS) systems are becoming more popular in cities around the world, but how they're used can vary depending on the city’s layout, demographics, and other local factors. This study compared ESS usage in two Swedish cities—Stockholm and Lund—using spatiotemporal analysis techniques to explore when and where people are most likely to use e-scooters.

The findings reveal that despite differences in city size and characteristics, ESS usage patterns in both cities are quite similar, with peak usage occurring between 2 PM and 3 PM. This timing, outside the typical 9-to-5 workday, suggests that e-scooters are used for more than just commuting. Both cities show high usage in central areas, but there are notable differences in... (More)
E-scooter sharing (ESS) systems are becoming more popular in cities around the world, but how they're used can vary depending on the city’s layout, demographics, and other local factors. This study compared ESS usage in two Swedish cities—Stockholm and Lund—using spatiotemporal analysis techniques to explore when and where people are most likely to use e-scooters.

The findings reveal that despite differences in city size and characteristics, ESS usage patterns in both cities are quite similar, with peak usage occurring between 2 PM and 3 PM. This timing, outside the typical 9-to-5 workday, suggests that e-scooters are used for more than just commuting. Both cities show high usage in central areas, but there are notable differences in how ESS is used at different times of day, indicating that rider behaviour is influenced by more than just city size.

A key insight from the study is that in the university town of Lund, e-scooter usage is closely tied to the presence of the university. This pattern wasn’t observed in Stockholm, and further research is needed to understand this difference. Additionally, the study found that areas with a higher land-use mix—places with a mix of residential, commercial, and leisure spaces—see more e-scooter trips. The study also found that areas with more public transport stops tend to have more e-scooter trips, indicating that ESS often complements public transportation. Interestingly, e-scooters are more commonly used in areas with less access to private cars, suggesting that people who don’t own cars rely more on e-scooters.

Overall, this research highlights how factors like land use, the presence of universities, restaurant density, and access to public transport influence e-scooter usage. While the cities differ in some ways, the study suggests that e-scooters serve a similar role in cities of different sizes. The study calls for more research into how personal factors, such as a rider’s transport choices and demographics, shape e-scooter usage patterns. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Flanagan, Seán LU
supervisor
organization
course
GISM01 20242
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Geography, GIS, Built environment, Shared e-scooter service, Dockless e-scooter
publication/series
Master Thesis in Geographical Information Science
report number
184
language
English
id
9178469
date added to LUP
2024-12-09 10:34:34
date last changed
2024-12-09 10:34:34
@misc{9178469,
  abstract     = {{E-scooter sharing systems (ESS) have rapidly gained popularity since their introduction in the U.S. in 2017, promoting sustainable urban mobility and offering a new solution to transport systems challenges. However, research on ESS usage in relation to the built environment, particularly in European contexts, is limited, and comparative studies between urban areas of different sizes are not readily available. This study compares Stockholm and Lund to explore how built environment characteristics and demographics influence ESS ridership patterns. Utilizing datasets of 27,915 trips from Lund and 152,035 trips from Stockholm collected in June 2021, the study employs a two-step methodology: spatiotemporal analysis of ESS usage and modelling relationships using Negative Binomial (NB) regression.

The results reveal that ESS usage in Lund peaks around the university and city center, while in Stockholm, usage is more dispersed. Both cities exhibit a concentration of trips in their central business districts, with peak usage occurring around 3 PM, suggesting that ESS serves purposes beyond traditional commuting. Additionally, there is a positive correlation between ESS usage and higher levels of land-use mix, particularly in areas with a high density of restaurants. The findings also indicate that ESS usage is more prevalent in locations with better access to private motor vehicles and is associated with existing transport modes in certain areas. Despite there being some key differences between the two study areas there was a broad similarity across the two contexts which suggests that ESS if fulfilling a niche role in urban areas of differing scale. The study highlights the potential of ESS to enhance urban mobility and offer an alternative solution to existing and future transport challenges.}},
  author       = {{Flanagan, Seán}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis in Geographical Information Science}},
  title        = {{Spatiotemporal dynamics of E-scooter sharing ridership and their associations with the built environment: A Swedish comparative study}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}