The Integration of Digital Mobility Platforms in Multi-modal Transport Systems

Abstract of PhD thesis. The original publication can be found here

Over the past century, private cars have dominated the transport industry, representing a crucial lever for economic growth. However, this car-centric approach has also come with substantial costs, due to increasing traffic congestion and carbon emissions. As a result, governments are under growing pressure to develop more efficient and sustainable transportation systems, while fostering economic growth. In response, cities have increasingly adopted new mobility services, such as ride-hailing and carpooling, to improve transportation efficiency and enhance quality of life.

Though some of these services have existed for a while, the digital revolution have significantly accelerated their expansion and adoption. Leveraging the principles of the sharing economy, digital mobility platforms provide short-term access to various means of transport. These platforms seek to trigger network effects by connecting fragmented markets on both the supply and demand side, thereby creating new marketplaces. This model is appealing because it promotes more efficient use of capital and offers cleaner alternatives to individual car-usage.

To effectively address transport-related concerns, digital mobility platforms must followthree fundamental principles: reducing car-dependency, tackling travelers’ dilemmas, and fostering complementarities with mass transit. However, these innovations have significantly changed users’ behavior, disrupting the industry and challenging traditional players. Moreover, the lack of robust empirical evidence limits our understanding of whether digital mobility platforms adhere to these principles.

Therefore, the question of how to effectively integrate digital mobility platforms into existing transport systems remains an ongoing subject of scrutiny. The core idea behind integration is to foster coordination among various stakeholders to create multi-modal transport systems that offer a viable alternative to car usage. This thesis contribute to this debate in four chapters:

Chapter 2. Building on the theory of platform economics, this paper develops a business model typology for digital mobility platforms, identifying the value proposition and the primary socio-economic benefits generated by each type. Clearly defining the value proposition is crucial, as it directly influences public intervention. Additionally, this research explores how these business models challenge traditional regulatory governance, which has historically focused on managing supply-side XII economies of scale. The paper also examines how strategies designed to generate network effects might lead to market failures.

Chapter 3. This section studies the market dynamics between public transport and new mobility services. In this chapter, I causally assess public transport substitution to bikesharing in Mexico City in the context of disruptions in the subway network. The findings suggests a substantial substitution to bike-sharing during disruptions and a rise in complementarity afterwards.

Chapter 4. The next chapter focuses on examining the regulatory aspects of integrating e-scooters sharing services. It studies the effectiveness and unintended consequence of regulatory changes implemented to address improper parking in Paris. By exploiting the spatial relation between parked e-scooters and designated parking zones, the findings suggest that designated parking zones effectively reduce improper parking, but they also limit accessibility.

Chapter 5. This study explores how intercity carpooling systems can contribute to mitigate carbon emissions. Carpooling holds potential for carbon mitigation, however, it also makes car travel more attractive leading to uncertain environmental impacts. This paper develops a baseline indicator to identify the effectiveness of carpooling in carbon mitigation and it empirically examines the impact of various policies on such indicator. The findings suggest that raising the cost of car travel and incentivizing drivers to switch to passengers are promising policies to mitigate carbon emissions.

In summary, this thesis aims to examine the introduction of digital mobility platforms and the policy challenges involved in integrating them with the existing mobility mix. By delving into these issues, this research seeks to offer valuable insights for decision-makers and practitioners. For instance, understanding how these services complement mass transit and assessing potential undesired effects can help governments to design more efficient and sustainable multi-modal transport system. Crafting regulations that guide technology toward economic and environmental objectives is paramount for the future organization of societies