Abstract
Peer-to-peer (P2P) ridesharing is a relatively new concept that aims at providing a sustainable method for transportation in urban areas. This research is on the second phase of a sequence of projects that follows the previously funded UCConnect project titled “Promoting Peer-to-Peer Ridesharing Services as Transit System Feeders”. In this phase, the study constructs a multimodal network, which includes P2P ridesharing, transit and city bike-sharing. The research develops schemes to provide travel alternatives, routes and information across multiple modes in the network. In addition, the authors develop a mobile application that demonstrates the research in the context of Los Angeles, CA, by using a combination of subway transit lines, proposed P2P ridesharing, and bikesharing to provide multi-modal itineraries to users. The Los Angeles Metro’s Red and Gold line subway rail and the downtown bike-share system are included in the network for a case study. The study includes a simulation of the operation of the combined system that provides travel alternatives during morning peak hours for multiple riders. The results indicate that a multi-modal network would expand the coverage of public transit. Rideshaiing and bike-sharing could both act as transit feeders when properly.