Mobility sharing services – How do they impact the city of Rotterdam, and its society?

Mobility sharing is part of the exponentially growing Sharing Economy. It is one of the innovations that might reduce traffic-related problems in cities. Currently, many studies have identified advantages and disadvantages of mobility sharing. However, few studies have attempted to identify advantages and disadvantages of mobility sharing in the city of Rotterdam, and for its citizens. This thesis used existing studies to identify advantages and disadvantages in general, and used a survey conducted by the municipality of Rotterdam to determine traffic-related problems in Rotterdam. Besides that, a survey was distributed among people that live in or near Rotterdam to assess how mobility sharing is used in Rotterdam. The results of the literature review show that mobility sharing has four advantages. Namely, decreased vehicle ownership, decreased vehicle usage, decreased use of space and environmental sustainability. Besides that, mobility sharing has two disadvantages: nuisance and additional use of vehicles. Also, the survey conducted by the municipality of Rotterdam identified that parking possibilities and traffic flow are the most pressing traffic-related problems. In addition, from the results of mobility sharing survey it can be concluded that non-users of mobility sharing fail to estimate the price of mobility sharing correctly. Further, this thesis shows that ownership of a vehicle does not have a significant effect on either usage of mobility sharing or monthly spending on mobility sharing. This thesis concludes with a recommendation for the municipality of Rotterdam with regard to policymaking for mobility sharing.