Inrix: micromobility could replace half of US metro car trips

Nearly 50% of all car trips in the most congested US metropolitan areas are less than three miles and could be replaced by micromobility services, says Inrix. The company analysed data points from connected devices to rank the top US, UK and German cities where micromobility services (shared bikes, electric bikes and electric scooters) could have the most significant impact on replacing vehicle trips. Findings from the National Association of City Transportation Officials estimated that scooters are
September 16, 2019 Read time: 2 mins

Nearly 50% of all car trips in the most congested US metropolitan areas are less than three miles and could be replaced by micromobility services, says 163 Inrix.

The company analysed data points from connected devices to rank the top US, UK and German cities where micromobility services (shared bikes, electric bikes and electric scooters) could have the most significant impact on replacing vehicle trips.

Findings from the National Association of City Transportation Officials estimated that scooters are frequently used for trips between half a mile and a mile, whereas bike distances are typically between one mile and three miles.

Inrix revealed Honolulu (Hawaii) could replace 55% of short trips with micromobility services. It is followed by 52% of vehicle trips in New Orleans (Louisiana) and 51% of those in the cities of Nashville (Tennessee), Chicago (Illinois) and Charlotte (North Carolina).

In the UK, the city of Manchester could replace 69% of vehicle trips that are three miles or less with micromobility services. It is followed by Birmingham (69%), Glasgow and London (both 66%) and Sheffield (64%).

Trevor Reed, transportation analyst at Inrix, says “legislation and public education” does not do enough to encourage micromobility.

He insists that the UK government should review options to legalise e-scooters and assess the current opportunities to increase road safety for all users.

“Simultaneously, it’s essential the wide-ranging benefits of micromobility and the cost of vandalism are clearly communicated to the public to ensure the technology is used sustainably,” he continues. “We urge authorities to use more data-based decision making to ensure the smart deployment of these services.”

Figures for Germany revealed Munich as the city with the most potential for micromobility services, with potential for replacing 60% of short-distance vehicle trips. It is followed by Hamburg (59%), Berlin (56%), Frankfurt (55%) and Cologne (51%).

Going forward, Inrix says the success of these offerings will depend on cities having a clear understanding of where micromobility is best positioned to offset vehicle travel as well as having the tools to engage with and manage these services. Cities can utilise trip data and insights to provide a “foundational view” of how people currently move through a city's road network, the company adds.

According to Inrix, cities must integrate private micromobility offerings and address challenges of incorporating app-based services.

Urban Traffic Control

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • On-demand is Denver’s command
    March 6, 2017
    While demand responsive transit overcomes many problems, it has been too expensive to provide for the general public but Denver believes it may have found a solution. Cost-efficiently meeting fluctuating passenger levels within available resources can prove a serious challenge for general publicoriented demand responsive transit. There is growing US interest in this mode - as distinct from the already established use of demand responsive transit for specialised needs, such as paratransit for the disabled –
    Read More
  • Roadside infrastructure key to in-vehicle deployment
    November 28, 2013
    The implementation of in-vehicle systems will require multilateral cooperation, as Honda’s Sue Bai explains to Colin Sowman. Vehicle manufacturers will shape the future direction of in-vehicle ITS systems, but they can’t do it on their own. So to find out what they see on the horizon, and the obstacles they face, ITS International spoke to Sue Bai, principal engineer in the Automobile Technology Research Department with Honda R&D Americas. Not only does she play an important role in Honda’s US-based ITS
    Read More
  • EC transit wishlist: face masks, distancing, cleaning, contactless
    June 3, 2020
    European Commission also recommends Covid-19 isolation facilities at transport hubs
    Read More
  • Government traffic statistics ‘highlight a growing issue in the UK’
    August 12, 2016
    The UK Department for Transport has issued its provisional estimates of road traffic in Great Britain for the year ending June 2016 by vehicle type and road class. These show that motor vehicle traffic was at a record high with 319.3 billion vehicle miles travelled, at 1.5 per cent higher than the previous year and 1.6 per cent higher than September 2007). Rolling annual motor vehicle traffic has now increased each quarter in succession for three years. Compared to the previous year, all road class
    Read More

Highlighted Content