Designing a Transit-Feeder System using Multiple Sustainable Modes: Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Ridesharing, Bike Sharing, and Walking

Peer-to-peer (P2P) ridesharing is a relatively new concept that aims to provide a sustainable method for transportation in urban areas. Previous studies have demonstrated that a system that incorporates both P2P ridesharing and transit would enhance mobility. We develop schemes to provide travel alternatives, routes and information across multiple modes, which includes P2P ridesharing, transit, city bike-sharing and walking, within the network. This study includes a case study of the operation of the multimodal system that includes P2P ridesharing participants (both drivers and riders), the Los Angeles Metro Red line subway rail, and the Los Angeles downtown bike-share system. The study conducts a simulation, enhanced by an optimization layer, of providing travel alternatives to passengers during morning peak hours. The results indicate that a multi-modal network expands the coverage of public transit, and that ride- and bike-sharing could be effective transit feeders when properly designed and integrated into the transit system.